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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canndian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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1? 

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Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


D 
D 
D 


D 


D 


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Bound  with  other  material/ 
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pas  6tA  filmdes. 


Additional  comments:/ 
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D 
D 
D 
D 
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D 
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n 


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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indipud  ci-dessous. 


i 


I 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

aox 

1 

X 

12X 

16X 

20X 

»IX 

28X 

32X 

u 

'!**U*>ii  *;■<*: 


aire 

I  details 
|ues  du 
t  modifier 
iger  une 
9  filmage 


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to  the  generosity  of: 

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g6n6rositA  de: 

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Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  netteti  da  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


1/ 
udes 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
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lire 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
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beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim6e  sont  film6s  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAe  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustr  ition  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
f'llm^s  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsqua  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  i(  es<  film6  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Las  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


by  errata 
led  to 

ent 

une  pelure, 

Fa^on  d 


1 

2 

3 

32X 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

,:v' 


f»''^- 


'-'T*, 


pZ^ 


MjC    ^    f?,-4j-^     i*     J. 


Entered  aocorcUng  to  Act  of  Congnas,  in  the  year  1869,  by 

HENRY  A.  YOUNG  &  CO., 

In  the  clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  ofthe  District  of  Jlaagachuwtts. 


(I«1»t«»t«^ 


1 


CHAFTEBI. 
Strange  Gnests, ----7 

CHAPTER  n. 
The  Story  of  »  Clmmy  Life,     •,-•-...     17 

CHAPTER  m. 
A  Broken  PtomiM,       •---....,'(! 

CHAPTER  IV. 
The  Sale  and  the  Separation,    --•....go 

CHAPTER  V. 
Dave  Hoggins  "at  Home,"       --.....     4$ 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Dave  Hoggins  Receives  his  First  Letter,  .....     ge 

CHAPTER  Vn. 
A  VislDn  and  an  Invitation,      •----..     (a 

CHAPTER  Vin. 
The  Party  and  the  Man  of  the  Vision,    -       ....     77 

CHAPTER  IX. 
An  Unwelcome  Onest,         ---.....07 

CHAPTER  X. 
Madam  Leon,       -----,.....    uj 


1 


▼i.  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTEBXI. 
Gnat  Erenta,       -----•.       ...jgf 

CHAPTER  Xn. 
The  C^p-Heeting  Wedding,     -       •.       .       .       .       .146 

CHAPTER-Xin. 
PKMhiog  Jack  ud  Scriptur  Bill,      ■       .       .       .       .       .    161 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Last  Work  of  Preaching  Jack,  ---....177 

CHAPTER  XV. 
A  Visit  from  Zack's  Waster,'     •-■....   igo 

CHAPTEP  XVI. 
Huggins  get  rid  of  Zack,  --.-....199 

CHAPTER  XVn. 
Gmit  Chiinges,     ---.......us 

CHAPTER  XVin. 
Fleebig  Before  the  Tankeea,       -       •       -       .      .      .-930 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Good  News  ftom  Zack,       --•-....    943 

CH.»JTER  XX. 
Entertaining  Soldiers,         --•-....   ftgf 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Deeper  in  the  Wildemesa,         -       -       •      .      ..       .871 

CHAPTER  XXn. 
A.  JoyM  Snrprite, ..      -983 

CHAFTmXXm. 
fathering  at  Home^  .....^..aoQ 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

STRANGE  GUESTS. 

■jirOUGHT  we  see  do  minister,  missus  ? "  asked  a 
lu.  genuine  son  of  Ham-,  as  he  presented  himself 
with  his  wife  at  the  parlor  door. 

The  minister  was  not  in,  and  the  lady  and  her 
guests  were  a  little  startled  by  the  sudden  appear- 
ance of  the  sable  pai*r,  redolent  with  smUes,  and 
lavish  of  bows  and  courtesies. 

The  man  was  tall  and  stalwart.  His  head, 
small,  round  and  closely  shorn,  sat  literally  on  his 
broad,  high  shoulders,  giving  his  whole  figure  the 
appearance  of  a  colossal  clothes-pin. 

There  was  no  mingled  blood  of  the  races  in  his 
veins.  He  was  black,  actually  black;  but  a  kinder 
and  more  agreeable  face  one  rarely  sees,  be  the 
complexion  what  it  may. 


8 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


\     ^ 


Hia  wife  was  small  and  frail,  about  forty  years 
old.  In  any  other  company  she  might  have  been 
called  *' black  but  comely,"  but  beside  him  her 
color  faded,  and  she  was  only  *'a  little  brown 
woman."  Her  features  were  not  cast  in  the 
Guinea  mould.  Her  nose  was  small  and  straight, 
and  her  thin  lips,  which  only  half  hid  two  rows 
of  small,  white  teeth,  were  fixed  in  a  sad  smile. 
Her  eyes  were  soft  and  kind,  and  her  low  voice  had 
a  plaintive  tone  which  at  once  won  the  hearts  of 
the  ladies. 

The  strangers  were  offered .  seats,  and  invited  to ' 
wait  for  the  minister's  return ;  but  they  hesitated, 
evidently  afraid  of  using  too  much  freedom. 

"  We's  mighty  disappointed  not  to  see  de  gen- 
Tman,"  said  the  man,  who  had  introduced  him- 
self as  Zack  Cameron,  ''  because  we  come  on  busi- 
ness —  mighty  important  business  to  us." 

**  I  suppose  you  want  to  be  married,"  said  the 
lady,  smiling. 

Then  he  broke  forth  into  a  genuine  African 
laugh,  which  proved  contagious,  and  the  whole 
little  party  joined  in  the  mirth,  whea  ho  found 
voice  to  say : 

"  Bless  yer  heart,  dear  missus,  we's  been  mar- 
ried dese  many  years,  good  ;  and  all  de  money  in 
dis  country  couldn't  onmarry  us,  we's  so  mighty 


STRANGE  QUESTS. 


)rty  years 
have  been 
5  him  her 
ttle  brown 
ist  in    the 
id  straight, 
I  two  rows 
sad  smile.    ' 
ff  voice  had 
0  hearts  of 

d  invited  to* 
ty  hesitated, 
dom. 

see  de  gen- 
oduced  him- 
ame  on  busi- 
s." 
i,"  said  the 

line  African 
the  whole 
ea  he  found 

's  been  mar- 
de  money  in 
so  mighty 


well  satisfied  wid  each  other.  Ha,  Weza?"  he 
cried,  looking  down  at  the  little  woman  for  con- 
firmation. •     ■ 

"  Yes,  Zack,  dat's  so,  sartiii ;  tre  wouldn't 
change,  not  if  we  had  de  whole  world  to  pick 
from  ;  "  and  turning  to  the  ladies  she  added,  "  Yer 
can't  reckon  how  kind  and  lovin'  dis  man  has 
been  to  me  in  all  dem  awful  years.  De  Lord 
knowed  what  was  a  comin'  on  dis,  poor,  weak 
heart,  and  so  he  send  dis  groat,  kind  man  for  me 
to  lean  agin.  I  believe,  ladies,  dat  dis  Zack  is  de 
very  best  man  de  dear  Lord  ever  made  on  his 
arth." 

This  compliment  sat  very  well  on  the  proud 
husband,  and  he  looked  down  at  the  little  brown 
woman  with  a  patronizing  smile,  and  then  said, 
'*  Yer  musn't  believe  all  she  says  'bout  me,  ladies, 
she's  only  a  poor  weak  woman." 

**I'm  sire  you  are  strangers  here,"  said -one 
of  the  ladies.    "  I  never  saw  you  about  town." 

*'  Yes,  missus,  we's  strangers  and  pilgrims,  both 
in  dis  town  and  on  de  arth.  I  'spose  yer  can  tell 
by  our  clothes"  —  the)  were  clean,  but  miscat, 
and  uncouth  to  the  last  degree  —  "  dat  we's  from 
de  South — that  mad  place  dat's  gin  you  all  so 
much  trouble  as  well  as  us." 

*'  How  came  you  here  ? "  asked  the  lady  of  the 
house. 


r 


10 


OtJT  OP  THE  WILDEBNE8S. 


«*Well,  missus,  when  de  war  was  over  we  felt 
's  if  our  liberty  was  too  good  to  be  true,  and  we  got 
to  surmisiu'  of  evil.  We  was  feared  dat  somebody 
'nother  would  betray  us  into  de  hands  of  de  Phil-  . 
istines.  We  felt  like  mice  dat's  just  got  out  of  de 
trap  alive  ;  we  wanted  to  get  dat  trap  out  of  our 
sight  as  well  as  off  of  our  feet.  We  had  lost 
heaps  o'  our  friends  in  de  war;  dey  was  either 
dead,  or  scattered  hither  and  yoa,  and  we  two  was 
most  alone  or.  de  arth.  So  a  gentleman  coming 
Noith  offered  to  take  us  along  with  him,  and  let 
us  pay  up  our  passage  by  workin'  on  his  place ; 
and  df  t's  what  w^'s  at  now,  missus,  in  dis  town." 

"  And  I  suppose  you  are  happy  here  ? "  asked 
the  lady.  .jf  4^  fn^^^   'y 

"  Well,  yes,  missus,  as  happiness  goes  on  dis 
arth.  We's  bound  to  be  happy  anyway,  come 
rhat's  mind  to.  De  Lord  reigiia,  and  dat  one 
thought  is  enough  to  make  any  poor  child  o'  his'n 
happy ;  isn't  it  ?  "  ,* 

"  It  ought  to  be."  '< 

"  We's  bound  to  put  it  through  here  till  de  po- 
litical yarthquakes  and  tumultses  is  over,  and  we 
gets  a  little  ahead  in  life.  And  den  I  Teckons 
we'll  go  down* home  agin.  Oh,  oh,  oh!  dese  east 
winds  makes  us  shiver,  and  we  dreads  de  snow  to 
wado  through !  and  'side  dat,  ladies,  it's  a  blessed 
thing  to  Hve  'mong  yer  own  folks." 


STRANGE  GUESTS. 


11. 


we  felt 
1  ve  got 
jmebody 
de  Phil-  . 
)ut  of  de 
ttt  of  our 
had  lost 
as  either 
,  two  was 
a  coming 
n^  and  let 
lis  place; 
lis  town." 
,?"  asked 

aes  on  dia 


pay, 


come 


dat  one 
ild  o'  his'u 


till  de  pe- 
er, and  we 
l*reckonB 
!  dese  east 
de  snow  to 
'8  a  blessed 


♦«  Yes,  yes,  Zack,  dat's  sartin  !  "  echoed  the  little 
brown  woman,  who  had  kept  her  admiring  gaze 
fixed  on.  him  during.this  speech  ;  "  it  is  a  blessed 
thing  to  live  'mong  your  own  folks ; "  and  she 
wiped  away  her  tears  with  the  corner  of  her  faded 
blue  apron.  ,1  »< 

"  And  what  can  the  minister  do  for  you  ? " 
.asked  the  lady.  1111*1   •  »; 

"  Well,  missus,  we  heerd  he  was  goin'  down  to 
our  parish,  and  thought  dat  may  be,  as  matters 
was  a  setthn'  down  a  little,  he  could  hunt  up  our 
folks  dat  we  lost  down  dere, "  replied  Zack. 

"  Yes,  yes,  dat's  true,  Zack ;  dat  nigh  'bout 
killed  me, ''  again  echoed  Weza. 

"  Yer  see,  kind  missus,  she  has  got  two  boyg  •♦ 
somewhere  or  nother  down  dere  in  de  wilderness, 
and  if  yer  a  mother  yer  understand  how  poor 
weak  women  feel  'bout  dere  children,  and  fathers, 
for  dat  matter,  too.  You  remember  how  old  Jacob 
took  on  'bout  Joseph,  when  he  thought  de  wild 
beasts  had  devoured  him  up,  and  how  Rachel  wept 
and  wouldn't  be  comforted  no  how,  becase  her 
chil'en  was  killed  ?  Oh,  I  tell  you,  ladies,  moth- 
ers' hearts  is  tender  things  to  handle  rough." 

"Yes,  mothers'  hearts  is  tender,"  the  little 
brown  woman  repeated,  with  her  eyes  still  fixed 
on  her  sable  hero. 


■ 


« 


It  0; 


12 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Ul 


"  Dem  two  boys  isn't  my  sons,  but  dey're  hern, 
and  she's  in  trib'lation  'bout  dem.  She  suffers  for 
dem,  and  I  «>uffeis  for  her.  Sbe  dreams  'bout  'em, 
and  cries  in  her  sleep,  and  I  can't  rest  no  how  till 
she  can  nu.  So  I  wants  to  get  dem  hunted  up 
somehow  or  nother.  We's  got  heaps  o'  friends 
sold  off  to  save  lolling  dem,  just  afore  de  war. 
Dey're  among  the  sugar  canes  somewhar.  I  don't 
kuo\(r  whar  dey  is,  but  de  Lord  know,  and  he  can 
pint  right  straight  to  'em  so  dat  de  minister  can 
find  'em.  Yon  know,  missus,  de  Book  says,  '  De 
eyes  of  de  Lord  are  in  every  place,  beholdin'  de 
ev:?  and  de  good.'  My  people  is  either  in  Georgy, 
or  else  in  Floridy,  or  Lou'sanuy,  or  in  Texas. 
Jim,  dat  was  brung  ip  near  by  me,  an'  most  like 
my  brother,  he  was  in  Texas,  a  herding  of  cattle, 
last  time  we  got  wind  o'  him.  But  ye  tell  de 
minister  if  he'll  hunt  up  one  or  all  on  'em,  I'll  pay 
him  well  for  bis  trouble ;  and  de  Lord,  who  loves 
dem  all  as  his  believin'  children,  will  pay  him  full 
measure,  ten  times,  heaped  up  and  a  runnin'-over. 
Yer  tell  him  if  he'll  do  dis  little  job  for  us,  we'll 
pray  for  him  while  we  lives,  dat  de  Lord  would 
bless  him  in  his  'uaskets  and  his  stores,  in  his 
farraly  and  in  his  own  dear  soul." 

The  lady  felt  sure  the  minister  would  gladly  aid 
the  poor  wanderers,  but  the  effort  seemed  to  her 


,r 


ii^ 


\ 


STRANGE  GUESTS. 


18 


re  bem, 
iffers  for 
,out  'em, 
,  how  till 
mted  up 
.'  friends 
de  war. 
I  don't 
id  ho  can 
aister  can 
Bays,  '  De 
loldin'  de 
in  Georgy, 
in  Texas, 
most  like 
5  of  cattle, 
ye  tell  de 
I'll  pay 
who  loves 
hiin  full 
[unin'-over. 
us,  we'll 
(rd  would 
I,  in  his 

gladly  aid 
led  to  her 


hopeless,  and  she  asked,  "  But  how  would  a  stran- 
ger go  to  work  to  find  your  friends  ?  " 

•*'■  Oh,  let  him  give  it  out  in  i^pbtin',  dear  missus. 
Dat's  de  way  to  find  out  what  yer  lost  down  dere. 
Onco  I  was  in  a  meetiu'  in  dat  city,  and  just  arter 
dey  had  sung  de  benediction,  de  minister  was  axed 
to  give  out  dat  a  woman  had  lost  her  henkecher ; 
and  bless  you,  it  wasn't  a  minute  afore  a  little  boy 
fetched  it  up.  Dere's  a  colored  preacher  down 
dere  got  a  mighty  big  crowd  of  a  church,  —  Bill 
Aiken.  Now  let  de  minister  ax  Bill  to  speak  out 
arter  sarmon,  and  say,  '  Is  dere  anybody  in  dis 
crowd  dat  haS  met  up  wid  Rooa  Le  Rue,  dat  got 
scattered  in  de  war  ?  or  wid  Dr.  Percy's  three 
women  ?  or  wid  Dike  and  Sampson,  de  sons  of 
de  Doctor's  Weza?  or  wid  lame  Jim  dat  Widow 
Waters  owned  ? " 

Well,  my  good  man,"  said  the  lady,  smiling  at 
the  amount  of  work  laid  out  for  her  invalid  hus- 
band, "  you  must  let  "me  write  all  this  down,  for  I 
can  never  remember  the  names." 

"  Yes,  missus,  I'll  do  dat,  cheerful,"  replied 
Zack,  with  a  patronizing  bow.  "  May  be  Bill 
would  ax,  *Is  yaller  Dave  in  dis  crowd  dat  bor- 
rowed ten  dollars  of  Zack  Cam'ron,  when  de  regi- 
ment was  dismissed  ?  If  so,  he  must  forred  that 
same  to  said  Zack  to  buy  boots  wid  afore  the  snow 
comes  up  North.' " 


u 


OUT  OF  THE  vnLDEBNESS. 


"  Yes,  yes,  dat's  true,  Zack ;  dere  will  soon  be 
snow  here,"   reiterated   the  little  brown  woman,  v 
drawing  her  thin  ^l^wl  more  closely  about  lier.    • 

^'  But  are  you  sure  Bill  Aiken  will  ask  all  these 
questions  \}i  meeting  ?  "  asked  the  lady.  :>' 

"  Oh,  yes,  he'll  ax  'em.  He's  a  mighty  feelin' 
sort  of  a  fellow.  But,  if  he  refuse,  why,  the  min- 
ister must  just  make  him  do  it.  He  must  threaten 
to  turn  him  out  of  de  church  for  contempt  o' 
court ;  dat's  de  way  Bill  hisself  does  to  sich  as 
don't  do  his  bidding." 

"  But  my  husband  has  no  power  there,  not  even 
a  vote  in  that  church,"  said  the  lady.'  •  • 

"Well,  well,  dat's  queer.  A  larned  doctor  of 
divinity  got  less  power  den  black  Bill  Aiken  dat 
sweeps  do  bank  and  makes  de  fires  week  days,  and 
only  preaches  of  a  Sunday !  But  if  nobody  in  dat 
crowd  knows  where  any  of  our  peo,^'»  is,  den  tell 
de  minister  to  go  to  old  Aunt  Sally's  candy  shop, 
in  St.  Cyprian  Street,  and  ax  her.  Dere  ain't 
nothing  in  de  whole  creation  dat  she  don't  know 
in  de  way  of  news.  She  keeps  de  run  of  every 
livin'  creetur,  bond  and  free.  De  church  mothers 
(deaconesses)  sot  out  once  to  have  her  turned  out 
of  de  church  for  a  busy  body ;  but  bless  yer,  de 
next  time  dcy  wanted  to  know  de  news  dey  went 
to  her  demselvea  —  de  poor  weak  women.    So  dey 


,/>ViAC;A|.---?(;-*^,- 


BTBANQB  GUESTS. 


15 


1  soon  be 
I  woman, 
it  her.    ■*nr 
I  all  these 

ity  feelin' 
,  the  min- 
it  threaten 
ntempt  o' 
to  sich  as 

5,  not  even 

doctor  of 

Aiken  dat 

days,  and 

ody  in  dat 

is,  den  tell 

andy  shop, 

Dere  ain't 

ion't  know 

in  of  every 

eh  mothers 

turned  out 

BBS  yer,  de 

rs  dey  went 

3u.    So  dey 


let  her  off,  and  Bill  give  his  reasons  in  a  sarmon. 
Ho  said  de  church  was  a  body  made  of  many 
members,  some  was  legs  to  run,  others  was  hands 
to  work ; '  most  o'  you  women,'  says  he,  '  is  ears  to 
hston,  and  Aunt  Sally  she's  de  tongue  to  talk  I 
don't  know  as  it's  any  wickeder  to  talk  den  it  is  to 
listen.' 

"  "^""^  ^"^^y  "^^8'  ^o  doubt,  got  de  run  of  all  de 
scattered  ones  by  dis  time  ;  and  she'll  tell  de  min- 
ister 'bout  our  people," 

"  Yes,  yes,  she'll  tell  him  'bout  our  people," 
said  Weza,  "and  may  be  de  Lord  will  heal  my 
heart  yet." 

"  We  should  hke  to  hear  about  your  troubles, 
httle  woman,"  said  one  of  the  ladies. 

^eza  dropped  her  head,  and  replied,  "I'm  a 
mighty  poor  talker,  I'm  so  bashful,  but  dere  is  a 
heap  to  tell,  and  Zack  can  talk  powerful  fine.." 

''  If  you'll  come  in  some  evening  and  tell  us  all 
alK,ut  your  life,  I'll  give  you  a  new  dress,"  said  the 
lady  of  the  house. 

"Dere,  dere,  now  yer  got  her,  ladies,"  cried 
Zack  ;  .you've  touched  de  spot  now,  for  she,  like 
all  de  rest  of  de  poor  weak  women,  is  mighty  fond 
of  fine  clothes.  I'll  feteh  her  in  some  night  a 
purpose  to  talk  of  her  life, -poor  little  woman." 
"  ^y  life  hasn't  been  whgt  slaves  call  a  hai-d 


16 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDEHNESS. 


one,  ladies,"  said  Weza,  "  for  no  man  ever  laid  a 
lash  on  me,  —  never.  But  de  partin's,  and  dc  sei>- 
arationb,  and  de  longin's,  and  de  achin's,  and  de 
dreams,  —  Oh,  dat's  what  wore  me  up." 

"  Yes,  dat's  it,  missus ;  she's  such  a  lovin'  cree- 
tur,  she  can't  be  happy  no  how  without  somethin' 
to  love ;  and  'em  boys  —  she  wouldn't  know  'em 
if  she  met  'em  —  and  yet  she  yarns  and  yarns 
arter  'cm  in  a  way  dat's  pitiful  to  see.  And  if  de 
good  Lord  spares  me  to  get  ahead  a  little,  I'll  find 
'em  if  I  tarns  up  every  State  in  dp  Union  a  tryin'. 
De  Lord  knows  where  dey  is,  and  he'll  let  me 
know."  ft- 


•iX.i^ 


'■'■¥  ■  iff^M 


rer  laid  a 
id  dc  sep- 
B,  and  de 

avin'  cree- 
Bomethin' 
know  'em 
and  yarns 
And  if  de 
le,  I'll  find 
an  a  tryin'. 
e'U  let  me 


CHAPTER  II. 

THE  8T0BT  OP  A  CLUMSY  UPE, 

ZAOK  was  as  good  as  his  word ;  ho  did  bring  the 
little  brown  woman  to  the  minister's  one  even- 
ing soon  after  their  first  visit  there.  But  he  made 
a  slight  mistake  in  his  errand,  for  instead  of  en- 
couraging her  to  tell  the  story  of  her  life,  he  spent 
the  fflne  in  giving  his  own.  He  explained  his 
course  by  saying,  that,  as  they  were  twain  as  wyll 
as  one,  it  took  two  stories  to  make  it  all  out,  and 
that  he,  having  been  born  first,  and  moreover, 
being  "de  head  of  de  woman,"  thongiit  it  but 
proper  to  begin  the  tale. 

His  argument  was  quite  satisfactory,  and  with  a 
beaming  face  Zack  related  the  story  of  what  he 
called  "  a  mighty  clumsy  sort  of  life." 

"  My  missus,"  he  began,  «  said  I  must  ha'  been 
named  in  sport  for  *  Zaccheus  He  ; '  but  I  never 
heerd  my  mother'  say  so.  I  was  about  five  year 
old  when  she  and  I  was  sold  with  a  gang  to  go 

17 


'3 


18 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


from  Virginny  to  a  sugar  plantation  in  Lou'sanny. 
She  was  just  my  color,  and  a  powerful  big  woman. 
She  held  up  her  head  like  she  owned  aU  de  planta- 
tions round.  She  never  make  free  wid- nobody, 
nor  sing  songs,  nor  dance  wid  'em.  At  home  she 
carry  de  keys  and  give  out  stores  and  de  like,  and 
I  never  knew  why  she  was  sold.  But  I  remember 
hearin'  her  say  den,  dat  no  one  should  ever  hear  a 
groan  or  see  a  tear  'bout  it,  but  jist  only  de  dear 
Lord.       J:      .»    f 

"  A  goin'  down  de  coast,  dey  had  high  times, 
fiddlin'  and  dancin'  to  keep  up  dere  courage  and 
make  'em  forget  all  dey  had  left  behind.  But  she 
sot  off  from  de  rest ;  and  when  dey  got  through 
she  would  sort  of  preach  to  'em,  and  read  oif  of  a 
book  she  kept  in  a  roll,  wid  other  things,  in  her 
pocket.  She  would  tell  'em  'bout  Jesus,  how  h© 
loved  de  poor  and  de  mise'ble,  and  how  he  died  on 
de  cross,  and  how  he  rose  again,  and  how  a  cloud 
received  him  out  of  sight,  but  dat  he  was  livin'  yet 
up  dere,  and  stoopin'  down  to  listen  to  hear  when 
anybody  calls  on  him.  De  wicked  ones  in  de 
gang  said  she  was  too  proud  to  dance  wid  field 
hands  ;  and  one  bad  man  called  her  '  De  queen  o' 
Sheby  ; '  and  den  de  rest  call  her  so,  and  finally 
she  went  by  de  name  of  '  Sheby,'  always,  'stead 
o'  by  Carline,  on  de  new  place. 


THE  8T0BT  OP  A  CLUMSY  LIFE. 


19 


"When  we  got  to  de  plantation,  dere  was  a 
great  panic  dere  wid  de  small  pox  ;  and  de  worse 
cases  was  in  de  mansion  house.  De  massa  had 
got  a  doctor  to  give  medicine,  and  a  minister  to 
pray ;  but  dey  had  no  nurse  dat  knew  any  thing 
about  de  sickness.  So  after  a  few  days,  wid  de 
leave  of  de  overseer,  my  mammy  put  on  de  white 
turban  she  brou;  >t  in  de  roll  wid  de  book,  and 
taking  me  by  de  hand,  marched  up  to  de  big  house, 
and  axed  for  de  lady.  And  says  she,  '  Madam,  de 
Lord  sent  me  from  Virginny  to  help  yer  in  de  hour 
o'  need!  Take  me  to  dem  sick  chil'en  and  yer 
go  to  rest.  I've  heerd  dat  yer  is  one  of  de  massi- 
ful,  and  de  dear  Lord  says  dey  are  '^  blessed,  for  dey 
shall  find  massie.*  Yer  have  listened  to  de  cries 
from  de  house  o'  bondage,  and  de  Lord  has  heerd 
yer  cry  now  dat  yer  are  in  distress  !  Yer  chUdrm 
i«  whole  from  dis  hour  !  " 

" '  Dey  canH  live,"  says  de  lady.  '  De  doctor 
has  give  'em  over,  all  three  — my  beautiful  boy, 
and  my  sweet  little  twin  daughters.  How  can  I 
live  if  dey  are  taken  ? ' 

"  *  Is  any  thing  too  hard  for  de  Lord  ?  *  says  my 
mammy.  '  He  has  sent  me  here  wid  dis  message, 
dear  cretur,  "Dey  shall  not  die,  but  live;"  so  don't 
yer  dare  to  doubt  him !    Go  and  rest  and  give  dem 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNE9SS. 

into  my  hand;  but  my  child,  dat  is  as  dear  to 
mc  as  ycrs  is  to  ycr,  mu$t  atay  in  dig  house.' 

Dc  lady  looked  a  little  skeart  at  first,  but  soon 
axed  '  Are  you  de  woman  they  call  **  Sbeba,"  dat 
I've  heerd  on  ? ' 

"  And  from  de  hour  my  mother  took  dem  chil- 
dren in  hand  dey  begun  to  mend ;  and  she  was 
ever  after  de  queen  o'  Sheby  dere,  I  tell  you.  She 
reigned  in  dc  mansion  house  ! 

I  come  up  a  mighty  favored  boy,  widout  much 
to  do  but  only  to  play  with  the  chil'en.  When 
de  little  twins  got  big  enough  to  go  to  school,  I 
used  to  take  'em  dere —  a  mile  oflF  to  another  gen- 
'I'man's  gov'ness.  De  two  didn't  weigh  half  as 
much  as  I  did ;  and  sometimes  1  would  draw  'em 
in  a  little  coach,  and  sometimes  carry  one  on  each 
arm,  in  a  big  basket,  and  agin  I'd  give  'em  turn 
about  on  my  back !  We  used  to  have  high  times 
a  singin'  and  laughin'  through  de  brakes.  How 
dem  two  little  ones  loved  me,  and  I  loved  dem ! 
And  as  for  young  master,  dat  was  'bout  my  age,  he 
loved  me  like  I  was  his  brother,  and  I  worshipped 
him ! 

'De  people  all  thought  my  mammy  was  a 
prophet,  and  I  reckon  she  was.  De  wicked  ones 
was  awful  'feared  of  her.  De  family  had  a  kind  o' 
vineration  for  her,  and  she  'bout  rule  de  plantation. 


dear  to 

Imt  soon 
>ba,"  dat 

lem  chil- 
sh©  was 
ou.    She 

)ut  much 
.    When 
school,  I 
ither  gen- 
1  half  as 
iraw  'em 
e  on  each 
'em  turn 
igh  times 
es.    How 
ved  dem! 
ay  age,  he 
rorshipped 

ay  was  a 
eked  ones 
J  a  kind  o' 
plantation. 


Trite  STORY  OP  A   CLUMsy   LIFE.  21 

If  dere  was  trouble  'tween  de  poor  Hold  hands  and 
de  overseer,  she'd  march  down  dere  and  look  into 
It;  and  den  she  would  go  straight  to  de  missus  and 
warn  her  against  brinpng  down  de  cuss  o'  heaven 
on  de  place  by  winking  at  de  oppression  of  de  poor 
dat  was  cryin'  day  and  night  to  de  Lord.    Den  de 
missus -oh.  she  was  de  lovin'  woman!  she'd  go 
to  her  husband,  and  she'd  plead  wid  him  and  give 
h.m  no  peace  til.  he'd  go  down  and  put  a  rein  on 
de  ovcrseer-a  bad,  cruel  man  from  de  North  ' 

"  My  mammy  sot  up  a  meetin',  too,  and  used  to 
preach,  and  pray,  and  sing.    She  always  wound  up 
her  sermon  with  something  like  dis:  Do  Lord  iZ 
heerd  de  cry  of  de  needy  and  dem  dat  has  no 
helper,  and  has  put  on  his  garments  dyed  in  blood. 
He  8  gettin'  ready  de  .word,  and  de  spear,  and  de 
battle-axe,  and  de  chariots,  and  de  horses  for  de 
day  o'  slaughter!    And  soon  yor'U  hear  de  roar 
o   cannon,  and  de  drum,  and  de  bugle;  and  den 
yerll  know  de  great  and  terrible  day  o' de  Lord 
has  come  for  dis  nation- de  day  in  which  he  will 
reckon  wid  'em  for  de  blood  and  tears,  and  groans 
of  our  people!    Aiid  dat  day  is  near.    I  hear  de 
sound  of  war  a'ready  in  de  still  hour  when  all  but 
mo  IS  sleepin',  and  when  I's  pressln'  the  Lord  to 
hasten  on,  and  cryin',  'Why  tarry  de  wheek  of 
dy  chariot  ? ' 


J 


4- 


22 


OUT  OP  TUB  WIL.    :BNE88. 


"Such  like  talk  roused  do  overseer  when  he 
heerd  it,  and  ho  told  de  massa,  and  niassu  told  de 
missus  dat  she  must  stop  Sheby  ;  and  den  de  mis- 
sus begged  my  mammy  not  to  talk  so  to  de  people. 
But  she  said  she  had  a  message  to  deliver  to  black 
and  white ;  and  dat  her  time  was  short  and  she 
must  tell  it.  So  den  de  massa  he  speak  sharp  to 
her;  and  he  took  his  sarmon  and  Aw  prophecy. 
Says  she,  *  Yer  better  flee  to  God,  and  lay  down 
yer  wcpons  o'  rebillion,  for  dere's  an  awful  reckon- 
ing ahead!  And  den  turnin'  to  me,  she  said, 
*Dis  boy  will  be  a  free  man,  by  right,  not  by 
runnin'  off;  because  de  Lord  will  break  evc.y 
chain  and  let  de  oppressed  go  free !  Stand  still, 
my  son,  and  wait  for  do  salvation  o'  de  Lord,  and 
don't  run  like  a  coward.  Dis, proud  nation,  having 
beaten  and  cast  us  into  prison,  may  yet  be  forced 
to  go  and  bring  us  out  with  dere  own  hands  for 
fear  of  de  judgments  of  de  Lord !  Perhaps  dis 
righteous  soul,'  she  said,  pointing  to  de  missus, 
♦  may  save  dis  house ;  but  de  desolation  cometh, 
and  dese  swamps  and  brakes  shall  flow  wid  de 
blood  of  de  nobles  ?  not  my  little  lambs  dat  I  saved 
from  de  pestilence,  for  I've  got  dem  hid  up  safe 
under  de  wing  of  de  Almighty.  Now,  massa,  yer 
let  me  alone,  and  go  humble  yerself  before  do 
Lord,  and  pray  for  massy  in  dat  day — for  it's 


''<  '''.Ji  "•■!:riiili^i'»iiiijiiiruLVu'''i''t"ft^<* 


THE  STOBT  OP  A  CLUMSY   UPB. 


lien  he 
told  de 
de  mis- 
people, 
to  black 
ind  she 
sharp  to 
rophecy. 
lay  down 
I  reckon- 
she  said, 
,,  not  ly 
sak  ev<  y 
tand  still, 
Lord,  and 
^n,  having 
be  forced 
hands  for 
irhaps  dis 
le  missus, 
in  cometh, 
►w  wid  de 
[at  I  saved 
lid  up  safe 
jmassa,  yer 
before    do 
—for  it's 


coniin'  as  sure's  dere's  a  God  above  us  !  As  for  me 
1  shan't  see  it,  for  I  shall  soon  be  out  of  de  wil- 
derness ! ' 

"  Slie  was  consid'able  of  a  kecr  on  'em,  for  talk 
she  would,  among  our  own  hands  and  other  folks' 
too!  I  reckons  dat  was  why  she  was  sold  from 
Virglnuy ! 

"  De  planters  round  said  she'd  kick  up  an  in- 
surrection if  she  wasn't  shut  up  quick.    First, 
massa  took  sides  wid  her,  and  said  she  teached 
de  people  to  bo  patient  and  obey  dero  masters  in 
de  Lord.    But  his  neighbors  said  dey'd  shoot  her 
if  she  wasn't  sold  right  off!    Missus  was  nigh 
about  wild.    She  was  afeared  of  God,  and  she  told 
massa  she  wished  he  hadn't  a  slave  in  de  world  ; 
dat  she'd    rather  be  poor  and  please  God ;  and 
dat  she  would  not  have  de  woman  dat  had  saved 
her  children's  lives  sold.    She  said,  'If  Slieby 
goes,  I'll  go  too ;  for  I  believe  God  stays  where  slie 
id ! '    But  in  de  midst  cf  de  rumpus,  God  took  de 
matter  into  his  own  hands.    Missus  went  into  de 
nursery  one  uight  to  speak  to  her,  and  dere  she 
was  on  her  knees  before  de  children's  bed,  — dead. 
De  dear  Lord  had  come  and  led  her  safe  out  of  de 
wilderness  I    Very  soon  after  dat,  de  little  girls 
both  died,  of  de  scarlet  fever,  in  one  week.    Dey 
was  hid  up  safe  under  de  Almighty  wing,  as  she 
said  dey  would  be. 


-J^ 


24 


OUT  OP  THE   WILDEBNES8. 


i 


"  My  poor  misaus  was  nigh  heartrbroke ;  but 
she  kept  sayin'  may  be,  as  Sheby  had  said,  dey 
was  save.}  from  de  evil  to  come;  and  she  vowed 
she  would  take  care  o'  me  for  Sheby's  sake ! 

"  I  was  so  strong  and  big,  dere  waa  notLing  I 
couldn't  do ;  but  I  never  was  put  into  de  field.  I 
minded  my  young  massa's  horses,  and  rode  wid 
him,  and  drove  de  carriage,  and  so  on.  Dey  tried 
very  hard  to  make  me  a  butler,  or  waiter,  or  some- 
thin'  like  dat;  but  I  broke  every  glass  dish  I 
touched,  and  spilt  de  gravy  on  de  company's 
clothes,  and  trod  on  dere  toes  when  I  went  to  pass 
tea  in  de  parlor.  So  missus  got  discouraged  ;  and 
said  she  didn't  know  what  to  make  on  me  no  how  ! 
But  I  can  tell  you  I  found  enough  to  do  one  way  or 
another;  it  took  one  man  to  wait  on  my  young 
gen'lcman ;  and  he  must  always  have  me  at  his 
heels.  If  any  body  interfered  wid  me,  he'd  hit 
'em  a  lick  in  de  face  'fore  dey  knew  it ;  and  so  I 
can  stand  up  dis  day  before  de  world,  and  say, 
'  Here  i .  a  slave  that  was  never  struck  by  no  man.' 
I  was  as  good-natured  as  a  kitten ;  but  I  had  a 
buried  feeling  in  me  dat  would  never  tak^e  a  blow ! 
I  believe  in  dem  days,  'fore  I  knew  Christ,  and 
had  his  spirit,  I'd  have  murdered  any  man  dat 
would  ha'  tried  it.  I  was  always  a  tender-hearted 
man,  particular  to  little  chil'en  and  \)00t  weak 
women. 


■4 


THE   STOBY   OP  A   CLUMSY  LIFE. 


25 


loke ;  but    . 

said,  dey 
she  vowed    - 

ike! 

nothing  I 
de  field.  I 
cl  rode  wid 
Dey  tried 
Br,  or  some- 
lasB  dish  I 

company's 
yent  to  pass 
iraged;  and 
me  no  how  1 
0  one  way  or 
m  my  young 
e  me  at  his 
me,  he'd  hit 

it;  and  so  1 
,rld,  and  say, 
k  by  no  man.' 

but  I  had  a 
r  takp  a  blow  I 
(T  Christ,  and 

any  n»aw  ^^^ 
tender-hearted 

,nd  i)Oor  weak 


*'  Well,  well,  de  years  rolled  on,  and  master  and 
missus  both  died,  and  my  young  massa  bad  all  de 
jilantation  and  de  people  Ibi-  his  own.  Den  ray 
woid  went  a  good  way,  I  tell  you.  He  fixed  up  de 
<]uarters,  and  added  to  de  rations  and  de  clothes, 
and  give  more  holiuays ;  and  den  we  got  a  new 
overseer  dat  had  a  heart  into  him.  And  we  never 
got  so  much  work  done  'fore  by  de  same  hands. 
And  de  thorns  and  de  nails  was  took  out  of  slavery 
dere  for  dat  year,  on  our  plantation.     ^     \r; 

"  But  it  does  seem  as  if  men  can  never  '  let  well 
enough  alone.'     My  young  massa  went  up  North 
lo  de  springs;  and  dere  he  foil  in  wid  a  lady  dat 
had    Ijeen   to   a    boardin'   school    somewhere    or 
nothor.     She  was  a  rich  man's  daughter  from  do 
coast  o'  Ploridy  ;  and  didn't  dey  strike  up  all  of  a 
Huddent  and  get  married?    He'd    never  seen  a 
blessed  one  dat  belonged  to  her.     He  mought  ha' 
found  whiter  ones  workin'  on  many  a  plantation ; 
and  such  an  eye  as  she  had  !     Why,  it  seemed  to 
cut  right  into  yer   when  she  looked  at  yer.     De 
long  and  de  short  on't  was  dat  she  was  a  tarnia- 
gant  and  a  fury  .in  shape  of   a  lady.     Strange 
enough,  dere  were -slaves  on  do  plantation  dat 
knew  her  — had  lived  nigh  by  her  — and  dey  said 
her  father  was  a  wracker  off  de  coast;  dat  he 
'lured  ships  on   to  de  rocks  by  false   ligiits,  and 


'i^wiiw*ijijin-M|i,i,t, 


""■"  1  Mim  ti'^immmjinj^j^i,\» 


i 


26 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


when  dcy  struck  he  had  boats  and  men  all  ready 
to  plunder  'em ;  and  dat  he  had  laid  up  heaps,  and 
bags,  and  barrels  of  gold,  and  diamonds,  and 
everyting. 

"  Well,  she  begun  with  young  massa  ;  and  I  tell 
you,  she  trained  him  up  handsome!  He  was 
mighty  easy  to  begin  wid,  and  when  she'd  got  her 
heel  on  him,  she  took  de  house  servants  next,  and 
denrde  field  hands.  She  driv  off  de  overseer  and 
overturned  all  we'd  done  for  de  comfort  of  de 
people.  She  sot  an  evil  eye  mighty  quick  on  me. 
But  I  looked  her  right  back  in  de  eye  as  long  as 
she  could  stan'  it.  I  drew  myself  up,  and  looked 
very  savage,  meanin'  to  skear  her  if  I  could;  and 
she  told  de  massa  she  was  'feard  o'  me ;  I  was  so 
big  and  so  black  she  knew  I'd  kill  her  some  day. 

"  But  he  give  me  a  great  character,  and  told  her 
I  was  the  importantest  man  on  de  plantation,  and 
and  dat  de  whole  consarn  would  go  to  ruin  if  I 
wasn't  dere. 

"  Well,  dere  was  hard  times  in  our  house,  I  tell 
you ;  dere  was  more  tears  shed  den  dan  ever  be- 
fore since  it  was  built.  She  would  strike  her 
maid  wid  whatever  come  handy,  and  throw  cheers 
and  'uooks  at  de  women  and  chil'ren.  De  young 
massa  saw  it  all,  but  ho  was  trapped  now,  and 
eouldn't  help  hisself.    Once  he  said  to  me, '  Yer 


R    I 


THE  8T0BY  OP  A  CLUtlST  UFB. 


27 


;ii  all  ready 
» heaps,  and 
nonda,  and 

;  and  I  tell 
!    He    was 
he'd  got  her 
Is  next,  and 
verseer  and 
aifort  of  de 
uick  on  me. 
e  as  long  as 
,  and  looked 
'.  could ;  and 
le ;  I  was  so 
some  day. 
and  told  her 
mtation,  and 
to  ruin  if  I 

house,  I  tell 
dan  ever  be- 
l  strike  her 
throw  cheers 
\.  De  young 
cd  now,  and 
to  me, '  Yer 


see  how  it  is,  Zack;  make  things  as  easy  as  yer 
can  for  de  sei-vants,  and  give  'em  a  cheerin'  word, 
poor  things.'  ,ti    ?,;.,., 

"  One  day  wlien  massa  had  gone  off  to  a  'lection 
dinner  in  de  city,  she  come  out  on  de  verandy 
wid  '  de  knife  in  her  eye,'  as  de  women  used  to 
say,  and  called  out, '  Whose  baby  is  dat  screamin' 
sp?' 

"  She  made  de  woman  bring  de  child  to  her,  and 
she  slapped  it  in  de  face  over  and  over,  and  o' 
course  it  screamed  more.    De  mother  run,  sayin', 
'  De  baby's  sick,'  and  she  chased  iier,  and  struck 
de  baby  a  big  blow  on  de  head.    I  saw  lier  from  de 
carriage-house,  and  at  Srst  I  thought  she  bein'only 
a  poor  weak  woman,  I'd  let  her  slap  her  temper 
out,  and  may  be  she'd   feel  better.    But  when  I 
saw  l,er  run  after  de  woman,  I  thought  she  meant 
to  kill  de  child,  so  I  run  too.    I  come  up  behind 
her,  and  I  took  her  little  wrists  right  between  my 
thumb  and  forefinger,  and  held  her  tight.    Den  I 
told  Dely  to  go  into  de  kitchen  and  nuss  up  de 
baby  with  camphire  and  such  like.     Young-missus 
turned  round,  and  when  she  see  me  she  screamed 
like  I  was  a  tiger,  and  tried  to  get  away;  but  I 
held  on,  and  de  liousc  servants  was  all  a  pecpin'      • 
out  o'  doors  and  windows,  liopin'  I'd  kill  her,  and 
don  run.    But  I  was  just  as  ca'm  as  I  bo  this 


■■■i 


^^^^ 


II 


""■ — ^- 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


minute.  I  held  her  till  she  got  quiet  and  begun  to 
cry,  like  any  poor  weak  woman.  Den  I  let  go  on 
one  wrist,  and  led  her  back  to  dc  house  by  de 
other.  I  threw  my  voice  down  very  low,  and  says 
I,  looking  mighty  savage,  '  Go  to  your  room, 
missus,  and  stay  dere  till  massa  come  home,  or 
dere'U  be  trouble  here.'  She  flew  in  and  locked 
de  door  behind  her,  as  if  poor  Zack  had  been  a 
murderer  after  her  life.  She  forgot  dat  she'd 
nigh  about  taken  dat  baby's. 

"  I  went  to  de  stable  den  and  harnessed  a  hoss 
and  set  off  for  de  city  to  meet  massa,  and  ride 
home  wid  him.  And  as  we  come  along  together, 
I  told  him  all  about  it,  and  showed  him  jus^^  how 
I  held  her.  *  Dat's  de  livin'  truth, '  says  I, 
<* whatever  she  says ;  and  I  did  it  to  save  you  bein' 
de  husband  of  a  murderer." 

"  '  Yer  did  just  right,  Zack, '  says  he,  *  and  I 
thank  yer.  But  how  am  I  going  to  put  through 
life  dis  way  ¥  Sometimes  I  wish  I  was  dead, 
Zack;  but  ^er  de  only  man  on  earth  I'd  say  dis 
to.  rs  give  my  whole  plantation  to  be  back 
where  I  was  before  I  ever  saw  her.' 

"  And  when  we  got  home  he  went  into  de 
kitchen  to  see  de  baby  'fore  he  ever  went  near 
her  ;  dat  was  his  mother's  heart  in  him  —  and  he 
stroked  it  and  whistled  to  it ;  but  it  didn't  look  up. 


THE  8T0RY  OP  A  CLUMSY  LIFE. 


29 


)egun  to 
ct  go  on 
B  by  de 
and  says 
ir  room, 
lome,  or 
d  locked 
d  been  a 
iat  she'd 

ed  a  boss 

and  ride 

together, 

,  jus*^  how 

'    says  I, 

you  bein' 

le,  '  and  I 
ut  through 
vras  dead, 
'd  say  dia 
\/o  be  back 

lit  nito  de 
went  near 
—  and  he 

lu't  look  up. 


'  Del},'  says  he, '  I'm  sorry  for  dis  from  do  bottom 
of  my  heart.  Don't  cry ;  it'll  brighten  up 
to-morrow.' 

"  Dely  sobbed  and  sobbed,  fit  all  de  words  she 
said  was, '  If  he  dies,  massa,  I'll  jump  into  de  old 
well.  I  couldn't  live  to  'member  dat  my  sick  baby 
was  murdered  in  my  arms.' 

■  "  And  I  tell  you  it  would  a  brung  tears  out  o*^ 
Northern  eyes,  that  can't  see  no  good  thing  in  a 
slavcliolder,  to  ha'  seen  dat  splendid  young  man 
sit  down  on  a  bench  in  de  kitchen,  and  take  de 
baby  on  his  knee,  and  feel  its  pulse,  and  give  It 
drops  to  bring  it  to.  But  dere  it  lay  like  dead,  and 
he  had  to  leave  it  at  last  wid  Dely  and  old  Hannah, 
for  de  night. 

"  As  we  went  out  of  de  kitchen,  Dely  said,  •  0, 
Lord,  I  wish  I  was  out  of  do  wilderniss,  lor  I'm 
sick  and  tired  of  dis  yere  life ! ' 

"  I  never  heerd  what  passed  between  massa  and 
missus  'bout  de  baby  or  me,  but  very  soon  arter  de 
baby  died,  massa  told  me  dere  would  be  no  peace 
while  I  stayed  there  ;  and  dat  I  must  go  up  river 
to  his  uncle's  for  a  year  or  two ;  '  We'll  call  it 
selling  yer,' .says  he,  'but  yer  and  I  understand 
each  other,  Zack ;  and  I  hope  we  shan't  be  sepa- 
rated long.' 

"  And  de  next  week  I  went  up  wid  my  massa  to 


30 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Col.  Leon's  plantation  ;  and  dat  was  a  lucky  trip 
for  me,  for  it  was  in  dat  neighborhood  I  first  saw 
dis  dear  little  brown  woman  dat  has  made  me  so 
happy  dese  lont  years." 


f'.  sir 


lucky  trip 
I  first  saw 
dade  me  so 


CHAPTER  m. 


i  'm 


ftl» 


A  BROKEN   PROMISE. 

THE  little  brown  woman  came  to  the  parsonage 
very  often  after  this,  "  for  a  comfortin'  word  in 
de  wilderness."  She  told  her  story,  and  received, 
beside  her  new  dress,  the  sympathy  of  every  htart 
there. 

At  the  time  when  Zack  was  carrying  his  master's 
children  in  baskets  or  on  his  back,  always  busy  but; 
never  at  work,  "  Weza  "  was  in  the  adjacent  city,  a 
child  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Percy,  where  her  mother 
was  a  favorite  slave.  As  she  was  well  treated,  both 
in  the  kitchen  and  in  the  parlor,  there  were 
"  neither  nails  nor  thorns  "  in  her  lot,  till  she  came 
to  years  of  understanding ;  then  she  felt  her  fetters, 
for  although  they  were  soft,  they  were  strong. 

"  Weza  "  griew  up  a  gentle  and  active  child,  with 
whom  the  most  exacting  mistress  could  scarcely 
have  found  fault.  It  is,,  then,  little  wonder  that  as 
the  white  children  of  the  house  dropped  one  after 

31 


32 


OUT  OP  THE  VnLDEBNESS. 


another  into  the  grave,  she  became  a  humble  pet  in 
the  family.     When  she  was  about  twelve  yearis  old 
her  mother  loll  sick,  and  knew  that  her  end  was 
near.     She  sent  for  her  master  and  mistress,  and 
holding  her  child  by  the  hand,  she  said,  "Massa, 
I've  got  a  few  words  for  yer,  afore  I  leave  die  world. 
What  de  liviu'  woman  wouldn't  dare  to  say,  de  dy- 
in'  woman  may.    No  man  can  be  angry  wid  a  feller 
creetur  dat's  a  struggliu'  wid  de  last  enemy,  and 
dat's  all  I  can  battle  wid  to  day.    Ye've  always 
held  me  up  as  an  example  of  contentment  to  yer 
people  when  dey  got  restless.    May  be  yer  thought 
I  was  as  easy  in  de  halter  and  de  collar  as  yer  bos- 
ses and  yer  dogs.    But  that  isn't  tme.    My  innerd 
soul  has  rebelled  against  slavery  from  the  hour  I 
first  felt  de  chain  ;  and  de  older  I  growed  de  deeper 
dat  chain  has  cut  into  my  soul.     Ye've  been  kind  • 
as  fur  as  good  words  and  good  victuals  and  warm 
clothes  has  gone,  but  ye've  been  cruel  to  my  soul, 
massa.     Yer  shut  me  out  from  de  knowledge  of  de 
Lord  Jesus,  and  I  might  as  well  been  brung  up  in 
Africa    fur  all   de  religion  I   ever   heard   on  till 
Massa  Lorton  bouglit  old  Job,  and  so  brung  God 
into  dis  street.     Old  Job  has  got  de  Scriptur'  all 
burnt  into  his  soul,  and  he  can't  open  his  mouth  but 
de  fire  comes  out.     I've  got  de  Gospel  light  in  my 
soul  now,  and  dat  makes  de  grave  shine  like  heav- 


A   BROKEN   PROMISE. 


89 


lie  pet  in 
^earb  old 
end  wm 
resa,  and 
"  Massa, 
lis  world, 
ly,  de  dy- 
id  a  feller 
lemy,  and 
7e  always 
mt  to  yer 
ir  thou}2;ljt 
ts  yer  hos- 
My  innerd 
he  hour  I 
de  deeper 
been  kind 
and  warm 
}  my  soul, 
L'dge  of  de 
•ung  up  in 
,rd   on  till 
brung  God 
criptur'  all 
mouth  but 
ight  in  my 
like  heav- 


en, and  look  so  beautiful !  When  do  great  day  come, 
and  de  Lord  ax  me, '  Who  led  you  to  glory,  Molly  ! ' 
I  must  say, '  Not  de  rich  man  dat  put  a  soft  chain 
round  my  neck  and  hold  me  by  it ;  not  de  pleasant 
lady  wliosc  babies  I  nussed  and  laid  in  de  coffin ; 
but  an  old  plantation  nigger,  all  worked  out,  dat 
was  bought  by  his  sou's  master  out  of  pity.  I'll 
liave  to  tell  dat  yer  two  dressed  up  in  silk,  and  satin, 
and  broadcloth,  and  earings,  and  gold  headed  cane, 
and  velvet  prayer  book,  and  sot  oif 'mong  a  gay 
crowd  every  Sunday  morning  to  see  'bout  gettin' 
yer  own  souls  saved  wid  masses  and  high  music ; 
and  left  us  black  folks  to  get  a  big  dinner  for  com- 
pany, like  we  hadn'f  any  souls.  For  all  ye've 
done,  massa,  I  mought  be  going  out  into  de  black 
night,  'stead  o'  steppin'  into  de  river  all  alive  with 
glory,  and  seein'  the  Blessed  One,  as  I  do  dis 
minute,  a  waitin'  for  me  on  'tother  bank." 

"  Molly,"  said  the  doctor  in  a  subdued  tone,  '•*  you 
surely  are  not  cursing  your  kind  master  with  your 
last  breath  ? " 

*'  I'm  a  blessin'  'stead  of  cursin'  yer,  massa.  1 
want  to  save  yer  from  believin'  a  lie.  Yer  may 
think  'case  yer  'lowed  no  lashee  laid  on,  but  ruled 
by  sellin'  folks  off  when  dey  didn't  please  you,  dat 
de  great  Lord  will  a'most  thank  yer  for  your  good- 
negs  when*  yer  stand  before  him.    But  I  tell  yer, 


r 


34 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDEBNKtjS. 


l)c'll  bring  yer  square  up  to  tic  mark,  and  lay  de 
sins  of  our  ignorance  on  yer  soul  dat  has  kept  us 
in  the  dark.  He'll  say, '  Go  'way,  yer  dat  shut  out 
de  light  from  de  souls  I  made,  and  'most  made  'em 
think  dey  was  cattle  of  de  field,  and  at  the  same 
time  he  will  call  up  old  Job,  but  you  won't  know 
him,  may  be,  for  de  glory  dat's  round  about  him  ; 
and  he'll  put  a  crown  on  his  grey  head,  and  he'll 
say, '  Come  up  higtcr,  yer  blessed  old  man.'  He'll 
put  a  weddin'  garment  on  old  Job,  and  a  ring  on 
his  finger,  and  kiver  him  all  over  wid  shinin'  glory, 
so  dat  yer'll  wish  you  was  old  Job  'stead  of  de 
rich  and  fine  Dr.  Percy. 

"  But  dat  day  haint  corn's,  massa  and  missus. 
Dere's  yet  left  time  for  repentance,  and  my  advice  is 
dat  yer  heave  away  yer  fine  music  religion  dat  has 
no  Christ  into  it,  and  go  sit  down  and  larn  of  old 
Job  de  way  to  de  lovin'  Jesus.  I'll  pray  for  yer 
wid  my  last  breath." 

"  Thank  you,  Molly ; "  said  the  doctor,  kindly, 
"  and  now  tell  me  if  I  can  do  any  thing  to  make 
your  mind  easy  about  poor  little  Louisa." 
"  Yes  massa,  yer  can  do  dat." 
"What  is  it?" 

"  Give  my  little  Weza  her  freedom,  and  teach 
her  dat  she's  born  for  a  woman,  and  not  for  a  pet 
kitten.     Will  yer  make  her  free  ?  " 


U 


m^i 


A   BROKEN   PROMIRR. 


86 


id  lay  de 
8  kc|t  US 
t  shut  out 
made  'em 
the  same 
n't  know 
tout  him ; 
and  he'll 
n.'  He'll 
1  ring  on 
lin'  glory, 
tad  of  de 

i  missus. 
J  advice  is 
in  dat  has 
irn  of  old 
iiy  for  yer 

ir,  kindly, 
g  to  make 


and  teach 
t  for  a  pet 


"  Yes,  Sally,  I  will  for  your  sake,  for  you've  been 
a  good  and  faithful  woman  to  us." 

"  When  will  yer  do  it.  Now  ?  While  I  Uves  to 
know  it  ?  " 

"  No,  Sally,  I  can't  do  it  now  ;  but  I  will  just  as 
soon  as  I  can  without  making  trouble  among  the 
other  servants,"  replied  the  doctor,  wiping  a  tear 
from  his  eye. 

"  If  yer  could  look  into  eternity,  as  I  do  now, 
massa,  Oh,  how  glad  ye'd  bo  to  get  the  whole  on 
'em  off  your  hands.  Dey'U  be  a  heavy  drag  on 
yer  soul  I  tell  yer,  in  that  great  and  terrible  day." 

Then  she  turned  to  little  Weza,  and  said,  "  Well, 
den  if  it's  de  Lord's  will,  I  must  leave  dis  child 
still  a  slave.  But  mind,  massa,  ye've  promised  a 
dyia'  woman  to  set  her  child  free.  In  de  meantime 
I  ax.no  more  favors  den  slie's  had  ;  and  I  die  easy 
dat  no  lash  will  never  fall  on  her  shoulders  while 
she's  in  yer  hands.  My  head's  tired  and  swims 
now,"  she  said  ;  and  then  her  mind  wandered  back 
to  the  day  she  entered  the  vessel  at  Richmond,  sold 
to  go  South  away  from  all  she  loved.  "  All  aboard 
now,  eap'en,"  she  murmured.  "  Pull  up  de  anchor 
quick,  and  let's  get  away  from  de  sight  and  de 
groans  of  my  old  mother  on  de  shore.  Good-by, 
old  Virginny  home." 


'*0%'^kC 


86 


OCT  OP  THE  WILDKRNESS. 


•  Trie  faithful  nurse  had  uttered  her  last  words, 
aud  slept  away  her  few  remaining  hours. 

It  was  some  time  bcfi)rc  the  doctor  and  his  wife 
got  over  this  scene.  For  several  Sundays  they 
stayed  away  from  mass  and  gave  no  dinner 
parties,  being  almost  afraid  of  the  gay  dress  aud 
the  hollow  forms  against  which  poor  Molly  had 
warned  them.  But  a  change  of  seasons  I  rought  a 
change  of  garments,  and  the  warning  did  not 
attach  itself  to  the  new  ones.  Then  they  returned 
again  to  their  own  services  and  to  their  Sunday 
parties. 

Weza  grew  up  in  the  house,  pcrfonning  a  little 
Tcry  light  labor  which  ■  was  scarcely  more  than 
play.  She  ran  errands,  polished  the  silver,  fed  the 
dogs  and  kittens,  attended  to  the  canaries,  and 
watered  the  flowers.  But  she  was  not  taught  any 
thing  which  would  make  life  easy  when  its  burdens 
should  fall  on  her. 

When  almost* a  child,  she  was  married  by  her 
master  to  a  young  mulatto,  also  belonging  to  him, 
and  life  seemed  as  fair  before  her  as  before 
any  young  slave.  Soon  after  her  marriage,  she 
asked  her  master  to  do  as  he  had  promised  her 
"mammy,"  and  to  set  her  free  now.  The  answer 
was,  "  By-and-by."  But  before  "  by-and-by  "  came, 
a  little  slave  l)oy  was  born  in  the  house.     With  the 


*~-***?i^*S'%?S1¥SS?^?^^S5&^~'"^ 


A  BROKEN   PROMISE. 


8T 


t  words, 

his  wile 
ys  they 

dinner 
ess  and 
)lly  had 
rought  a 
did   not 
returned 
•  Sunday 
.'  t,. 
g  a  little 
)re  than 
r,  fed  the 
ries,  and 
ught  any 

jurdens 

by  her 
to  him, 
is  before 
iage,  she 
uised  her 
answer 
'  came, 
With  the 


bkth  of  that  child,  Wcza  woke  to  a  real  sense  of 
what  slavery  was,  and  her  heart  was  crushed 
beneath  a  sense  of  injustice  and  wrong  both  to  her- 
self and  her  child.  She  felt  that  had  her  master 
Aillillod  the  pledge  made  to  her  dying  mother,  this 
bal)y  would  have  been  free. 

Again,  after  tender  care  of  her  mistress  through 
A  long  illness,  she  repeated  her  request,  and  again 
was  told  that  her  papers  should  be  made  out  "  by- 
and'by,  when  it  could  be  done  without  making 
trouble  among  the  other  sejfvants."  But  before 
the  arrival  of  the  promised  day,  she  held  another 
little  slave  in  her  arms. 

Her  husband  felt  as  keenly  as  herself  the  cruelty 
of  this  delay.  He  had  no  hope  of  freedom  him- 
self, but  he  had  gloried  in  it  forhis  children.  He 
had  neither  the  wisdom  nor  the  meekness  of  Weza 
to  help  him  bear  this  wrong.  So  he  spoke  to  his 
master,  and  received  a  stern  rebuke  for  his  inso- 
lence. In  reply,  he  said  morosely,  that  he  had 
always  vowed  no  child  of  his  should  ever  be  a 
slave,  and  that  he  would  bury  those  babies  alive 
rather  than  have  them  remain  in  bondage. 

Of  course  no  such  insolence  could  be  allowed ; 
and  as  the  doctor  prided  himself  on  the  fact  that 
he  had  never  caused  a  slave  of  his  to  be  whipi)ed, 
he  took  the  less  merciful  course  of  selling  him  on 


•  ii 


IT 


38 


OUT  OP  1HE  V.ILDEBNESS. 


I 


i 


the  block.  The  first,  hint  poor  Weza  had  of  t]^ 
quarrel,  was  the  word  that  her  husband  was  f?;one 
with  a  "  gang  "  to  Texas  ;  and  that  was  the  last 
she  ever  heard  of  the  father  of  her  children. 

And  the  years  rolled  on  amid  light  tasks, 
brightened  by  the  love  of  the  two  little  mulattoes, 
and  by  an  occasional  promise  of  freedom.  Liberty 
had,  however,  less  charms  for  her  now  that  she 
had  slave  sons,  but  still  she  fancied  that  once  free 
herself  she  could  soon  earn  money  to  purchase  them. 


•^'.«t^v 


v.  -  ;,  ■     P-"  v.^i  ;i,*l'   J:»Ai' 

„..  ,.,,..■•■■.,-,  --<-.A.   ,Jitt'>?; 


m' 


-(    ,[       --,H      -t 


.'4' 


;«',<^;.J 


^■:  'ic^^ 


.i.^' ', t  ^'-J 


'J^JSt^'ji. 


>u-  iijjjii»|iai;ii»ii»i:i^p<«iy«<<jjj)i^jy^^^  r»y^jji^«JiV.ijyi  ■ 


,.d' 


^      '     CHAPTER  IV. 


'    THE  SALE  AND  THE  SEPARATION.     . 

ONE  of  Wcza's  boys  —  while  they  were  yet  littl: 
more  than  babies — swept  the  doctor's  office 
and  answered  the  door  bell ;  and  the  other,  a  hand- 
some child  with  the  roses  shining  through  his 
tawny  skin,  rode  with  his  master  and  held  the 
horse  while  ho  was  calling  on  his  patients.  If 
they  had  been  his  own  sons  lie  could  scarcely  have 
been  prouder  of  them,  and  nothing  gratified  him 
more  than  hearing  them  praised.  So  Weza  still 
ha<f  thcHi  with  her,  and  but  for  dreading  the  blank 
future  she  might  yet  have  been  happy. 

lint  in  the  midst  of  life  and  vigor,  the  doctor 
was  smitten  down  with  sudden  paralysis.  Then  he 
remembered  his  promise,  broken  both  to  the  living 
ai.d  the  dead,  and  in  his  firsc  lucid  moment  it  rose 
up  like  a  ghost  to  haunt  him. 

He  called  Weza  to  him,  and  said,  "  I  have  not 
forgotten  my  promise  to  your  mother,  and  now  I 

89 


! 


40 


OUT  OP  THE   W1LDKRNES8. 


declare,  with  your  mistress  for  my  witness,  that 
the  lirst  day  I  am  able  to  do  it  I  will  make  out 
your  papere.     You  shall  certainly  be  free." 

"O,  massa,  but  my  boys,"  cried  the  tender 
young  mother  — for  she  was  still  very  young  — 
"  how  could  I  take  freedom  and  be  separated  from 
dem?" 

The  doctor  was  silent  for  some  time.  Con- 
science and  avarice  were  struggling  in  his  soul. 

."  Well,"  said  he,  "  I  have  been  so  slow  in  ful- 
filling my  promise  to  you  that  I  will  atone  for 
it  by  giving  the  boys  their  liberty  too ;  but  you 
must  all  stay  with  us.  1  will  hire  you.  I  can't 
part  with  those  little  fellows ;  the  house  would  be 
so  dull  without  their  merry  noise." 

"  We  will  stay  wid  yer,  massa,  and  call  down 
heaven's  blessia's  on  yer  head  for  dis,"  replied  the 
hopeful  creature.  "  1  shall  den  know  dat  wc  can 
never  be  sold  and  sepfirated."  ,   •       •        '     >, 

That  night,  when  his  mind  wandered,  he  called 
out,  "  Bring  me  my  Jiat  and  my  cane ;  I  must 
go." 

His  wife  and  other  attendant  assured  him  he 
was  too  ill  to  walk,  but  still  he  ca'.';/.',  'Take  me 
to  the  court,  to  the  judge,  any  \,hr-i  Vatican 
get  Woza's  free  papers!  Didn't  I  prui.ifltj  Molly? 
How  can  I  look  her  in  tiie  face  there  in  ♦^he  awful 


THE  SALE  AND  THE  SEPARATION. 


41 


m,  that 
ike  out 

tender 
oung  — 
ed  from 

I.     Con- 
i  soul, 
r  ill  lul- 

tone  for 

but  you 

I  can't 

(vould  bo 

ill  down 
plied  the 
t  wc  can 

lie  called 
I  must 

him  he 

iTake  me 

lat  I  can 

Molly  'i 

lie  awful 


unknown  world,  with  this  broken  premise  on  my 
hand  ?  Seiid  for  old  Job,  I  want  to  ask  him  how 
they  make  light  to  shine  on  the  grave;" 

Old  Job  had  been  years  in  his  grave,  but  he  was 
not  forgotten.  The  rich  and  wise  man  remem- 
bered that  he  knew  how  the  dark  valley  could  be 
lighted  and  the  cold  stream  crossed.  Though 
dead,  old  Job  was  speaking  still.  The  doctor 
could  not  rest  for  thoughts  of  that  broken  promise, 
added  to  all  else  that  lay  upon  his  heaii  in  that 
solemn  hour.  Then  his  wife,  hoping  to  relieve  his 
mind,  pledged  herself  that  she  would  surely  see  to 
the  free  papers  if  ho  did  not  recover;  and  thus 
calmed,  he  fell  asleep,  never  to  wake  again. 

The  doctor's  estate  passed  into  the  hands  of  a 
nephew,  a  well-meaning,  gay  young  fellow,  who 
never  had  dreamed  that  slaveholding  or  slave  sell- 
ing was  cither  unmanly  or  sinful.  He  despised 
the  man  who  was  cruel  to  his  horse  or  his  negi"o, 
and  resolved  that  the  people  who  had  fallen  into  his 
hands  should  be  well  treated  and  made  happy.        ^ 

This  young  George  Percy  soon  came,  to  settle 
up  tlie  estate ;  and  his  aunt  thought  she  had 
nothing  to  do  but  to  tell  him  that  Weza  and  her 
boys  were  free  by  the  word  of  her  husband.  But 
he  looked  on  the  statement  just  as  a  young  Norlli- 
erncr  would  when  told  that  part  of  the  property 


09 


42 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


which  was  legally  his  must  be  thrown  into  the  sea 
or  the  fire.  He  had  no  idea  of  casting  away  fifDeen 
hundred  oi-  two  thousand  dollars,  because  liis  undo 
had  told  him  to  do  it. 

"  If,"  he  said,  "  this  had  been  a  matter  of  con- 
science with  my  uncle,  he  would  have  attended  to 
it  in  life.  He  held  on  to  the  woman  and  her  boys 
as  long  as  he  could,  so  you  surely  cannot  exjiect 
me  to  make  a  sacrifice  for  his  conscience  which  he 
would  not  make  himself."  And  who  could  gain- 
say his  reasoning  ?  ,,    ,    (.;.  ,    .f:.,^i.^ 

Little  Dike  won  the  heart  of  the  young  man  at 
first  sight,  who  thought  ho  was  pleasing  poor 
Weza  by  telling  her  that  he  was  going  to  keep 
him  for  a  j^et  boy,  to  hunt,  and  fish  and  drive  with 
him. 

The  result  of  young  George  Percy's  visit  was  a 
sale  of  the  property,  including  the  slaves  belonging 
to  the  Percy  estate ;  the  widow  keeping  those  she 
had  brought  with  her,  that  she  might  return  them 
*to  her  old  home  and  their  relatives.  And  so,  after 
all  the  promises  of  the  dead  to  the  dead  and  the 
living,  Weza  and  little  Sampson  were,  one  bright 
summer  morning,  with  thirty  others,  exposed  for 
sale  in  the  slave  market.  All  the  horrors  of 
plantation  hfe,  which  she  had  heard  descrihed, 
rose  before  her,  and  she  begged  George  Percy  to 


i&i.':-*J 


THE  SALE  AND  THE  8EPAR\TI0N. 


43 


Bcll  herself  and  her  boy  to  one  man ;  which  he 
proniified,  if  possible,  to  do. 

When  her  turn  came  to  mount  that  block  which 
had  been  like  the  scaffold  to  hundreds  of  agonized 
heai'ts^  a  man  came  up,  and  said  to  her,  "  I  want  a 
nurse.    Are  you  kind  to  children  ? "      ..  ••  »;  *:'«»^ 

"  I'd  bo  kind,  sir,"  said  Weza,  "  to  any  livin' 
cretur' ;  but  it  takes  happy  folks  to  make  little 
chiren  happy.  I'd  rather  work  harder,  so  as  to 
have  no  time  to  think ;  for  my  heart's  broke." 

"  Well,  I  don't  want  you.  I've  got  homesick 
folks  enough  about  me  now.  I'm  after  a  merry- 
hearted  woman  for  my  nursery,"  replied  the  man, 
as  he  gave  a  shoi*t  whistle  and  passed  on.    ' '   <  -■■' 

The  bidding  began  on  "  a  faithful,  Christian 
woman,  born  and  brought  up  in  Dr.  Percy's 
family,  and  her  boy,  Sampson."       > '  -  * 

Some  one  made  a  bid,  and  then  the  work  went . 
on,  poor  Weza  being  too  faint  to  see  the  faces 
about  her.  Presently  she  heard  the  word, "  Gone," 
and  the  boy,  pulling  her  skirts,  shrieked  out,  "  0, 
mammy,  dat  awful  ole  Frenchman  from  do  big 
plantation  in  B.  parish  has  bought  you  widout  me  !  " 
And  at  these  words  she  fell  fainting  on  the  block, 
and  was  taken  up  by  the  man  in  attendance,  who 
gave  her  water,  and  spoke  cheerily  to  her  —  this 
was  part  of  his  business.  ..<.-.. .. .  .. 


i. 


u 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


That  afternoon,  with  twenty  otliers,  Weza  sailed 
up  the  broad  river  towards  the  plantation,  whoso 
owner,  fearing  neither  God  nor  man,  used  his 
slaves  up  fast,  and  was,  therefore,  constantly  re- 
placing them.  She  proved  the  poorest  bargain  ho 
had  ever  made  in  the  slave-market,  for  she  fainted 
at  her  first  task  in  the  field. 

The  overseer,  whoso  duty,  he  said,  was  "  not  to 
nurse  up  feeble  women,  but  to  get  all  the  work  he 
could  out  of  tough  ones,"  pronounced  her  worth- 
less for  field  work :  and  told  her  there  was  luck 
before  her,  as  she  must  be  sold  again.  Weza 
plead  with  him  to  try  her  one  week,  as  she  had 
lost  track  of  little  Sampson.  The  child  knew 
where  she  was,  and  she  had  a  faint  hope  that  some 
merciful  person  might  have  bought  him  who  would 
write  to  her  owner  about  him.  "  If  I  go  away," 
she  said,  to  the  overseer,  "  I'll  lose  dis  boy  forever 
and  forever."  >  >i 

But  the  man  "  couldn't  be  bothered  ; "  and  to 
pacify  her,  he  said  tlicre  was  a  small  planter  there 
from  higher  up  river,  just  now  looking  aer  a 
woman  for  housework,  and  he'd  give  her  a  good 
name  to  him,  and  so  keep  the  run  of  her,  and  if 
her  boy  was  ever  heard  from,  he'd  let  her  kuow. 
He  was  not  a  brutal  man  ;  he  spoke  kindly  to  her, 
and  said,  "  Trust  me,  now,  to  look  up  that  boy." 


W<lffi»|i.i 


THE  SALE  AND  THE  SEPARATION. 


45 


Mrs.  Percy  had  parted  with  Weza  with  many 
regrets  and  some  twinges  of  conscience ;  but  these 
were  not  strong    enough  to  draw  the  purchase 
money  from  her  own  private  purse,  and  thus  to 
fulfill  her  promise  to  her  dead  husband,  and  wipe 
that  stain  from  his  memory.     She  had,  however, 
given  her  a  trunk  well  filled  with  clothing  for  her- 
self and  her  boy,  into  which  Weza  had  put  all  the 
little  keepsakes  she  and  the  children  had  received 
at  Christmas  and  other  times,  with  half  of  a  torn 
New  Testament  which   old    Job  had    given   her 
mother,  who,  as  well  as  himself,  had  been  able  to 
read.    The  tnink,  however,  was  missing  when  she 
leached  the  Frenchman's  plantation,  and  she  set 
off  with  her  boorish  new  master  —  who  seemed  to 
occupy  a  middle  ground  between  the  planter  and 
the  poor  whites  — with  nothing  but  a  clean  dress 
and  two  aprons,  tied  up  in  one  of  her  gay  turban 
handkerchiefs. 

"  O,  Lord  Jesus,"  she  whispered,  as  she  followed 
the  heavy  tread  o?  Dave  Huggins  to  the  boat, 
"  come  down  and  lead  poor  Weza  out  o'  dis  wil- 
derness ?  I's  got  nobody  else  now ;  let  me  lean 
full  on  dee,  God  o'  my  mammy !  " 


MHM 


i 


*^f 


s    > 


OHAPTER  V. 


DAVE  HUGGINS  "AT   HOME." 


H 


■  >'     ^  L 


THE  crazy  little  steamer  La  Belle,  after  utter- 
ing  several  ludicrous  shrieks,  landed  half  a 
dozen  passengers  at  "  Sandy  Bend,"  back  of  which 
lay  the  Huggins  plantation.    Weza,  with  her  little 
bundle  in  her  arms,  followed  Dare,  as  with  heavy 
steps  he  ploughed  up  the  sand,  leaving  deep  fur- 
rows behind  him.    She  walked  much  of  tlie  way 
with  her  eyes  closed,  and  her  lips  moving  in  silent 
prayer.     She  did  not  mean  to  be  heard,  bu'  once 
she  cried    out,    "  0,  Jesus ! "    laying  her    hand 
against  her  throbbing  heart,  when  Dave  turned 
round,  in  a   little  surprise,  and  exclaimed,  "A 
swearin',  ha  ?    Well,  now,  that  overseer  lied,  for 
he  gin  yer  a  character  for  a  Christian.    Yer  must 
quit  that,  for  it  only  wastes  yer  breath  without  do- 
in'  uo  good.    Nor  I  don't  'low  no  drinkiu',  nuther, 
on  my  place ;  'cause  if  the  folks  {Vb  that  habit, 
they'll  steal  my  gin,  and  besides,  the/  won't  work 

46 


DAVE   HUGQIN8  "  AT  HOME." 


47 


"£s.i<.H, 


80  well.  I'm  a  powerful  moral  man,  though  I 
don't  go  to  meeting.  I  have  a  religion  of  my  own, 
though  my  neighbors  don't  know  it,  'cause  I  kteeps 
it  to  myself ;  and  I  won't  have  no  wickedness  about 
me.  It  don't  pay."  These  were  Dave  Huggins' 
moral  principles. 

"  I  was  only  prayin',  massa,  to  my  brother 
Jesus,"  replied  Weza,  with  a  sigh.  "  He's  de  only 
one  dat  can  stick  to  me  now,  and  I  been  axin' 
Him  not  to  quit  me  for  one  minute,  fear  I  goes  wild 
'bout  my  boys  and  my  friends  to  de  doctor's." 

"  Pho  !  pho  ! "  cried- Dave,  cheerily,  still  plough- 
ing up  the  sand,  "  you'll  soon  get  over  this  and 
forget  'em  all.  Them  that's  been  sold  a  dozen 
times  don't  mind  it  a  bit." 

Weza  made  no  reply,  but  followed  on  till  they 
turned  from  the  road  into  a  lane  which  presented 
a  very  sudden  change.  The  pine  rails,  which  had 
once  formed  a  fence,  lay  scattered  on  the  ground 
just  where  they  had  fallen  from  time  to  time,  as' 
their  props  decayed  ;  and  the  deep  cart  ruts,  with 
weeds  springing  on  either  side,  told  that  little  use 
was  now  made  of  the  lane,  either  for  business  or 
pleasure. 

They  soon  came  in  sight  of  the  house,  and  Weza, 
struck  by  its  contrast  with  her  old  house,  exclaim- 


48 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


c(l,  forgetting  herself  for  the  moment,  "  My  goody, 
sure,  dis  isn't  dc  mansion  house,  massa  ?  " 

"  Yes,  and  it's  the  biggest  house,  on  the  ground 
floor,  in  all  this  parish  ;  only  it  wants  a  little  Bx- 
in' up,"  replied  Dave,  triumphantly.  .. 

"  A  little  fixin'  up  !  "  It  wanted  pulling  down 
for  fire-wood,  rather.  There  wasn't  a  firm  shingl^^ 
or  clapboard  on  it.  The  roof  of  the  verandah  was 
propped  up  at  one  end,  where  the  original  pillars 
liad  given  way,  by  two  unhewn  pine  trees,  stripped 
only  of  their  piost  prominent  branches.  On  this 
verandah  was  a  settee —  a  missing  leg  having  been 
supplied  by  a  butter-tub  —  and  two  bottomless 
chairs.  A  brolcen  cart  in  the  last  stages  of  decay 
lay  on  the  lawn,  with  its  rusted  irons  under  it.  A 
carryall,  once  a  fine  affair,  reclined  gracefully  on 
the  grass  where  the  lost  wheel  lay,  with  several 
openings  for  air  and  light  in  the  leather  top. 
Seated  most  insecurely  within  this  vehicle,  were 
'  some  half  a  dozen  little  blacks,  eating  corn  cake 
and  molasses,  and  enjoying  a  most  painful  ride  of 
pleasure.         •    '       '  •        *   •     < 

Dave  stamped  his  heavy  foot  on  the   rickety 
thill,  making  the  whole  structure  shiver,  and  cried 
out,  "  Cut  off,  there !     Home  with  ycr,  and  tell 
yer  own  master  he  must  provide  wagons  for  yer  . 
to  ride  in  !    He  is  rich  enough,  dear  knows  ! " 


"  My  goody, 
a?" 

II  the  ground 
3  a  little  Bx- 

puUiiig  down  ' 
firm  shingl*^ 
erandah  was 
iginal  pillars 
ees,  stripped 
es.  On  this 
having  been 

buttumless 
!;e8  of  decay 
inder  it.  A 
laccfuUy  on 
i^ith  several 
eather  top. 
ihicle,  were 

corn  cake 
uful  ride  of 

he  lickety 
',  and  cried 
r,  and  tell 
ns  for  yer 

>W8  !  " 


"V 


DAVE   HUGGIN3  "  AT  HOME." 


,!  Mi'»'» 


49 


The  children  scrambled  out,  tumbling  over  each 
other,  heels  over  head,  losing  their  corn  cake  and 
bumping  their  crowns.  Tlic  driver,  a  confident 
youth  of  seven  summers,  replied,  with  a  sardonic 
grin,  "  Our  massa  got  heaps  o'  carr'gcs,  but  he 
haint  got  no  tumble-down  ones  for  chil'n  to  play 
'  take  jaruey '  in.  He  aint  rich  'npugh  to  keep 
sich-likc  a  one  as  dis.  He !  he !  he  !  "  Then  he 
took  to  his  heels,  the  others  scampering  after  him, 
over  a  sick-looking  corn-field.  Dave  growled  out 
something  about  "  a  gun,"  and  threw  two  or  three 
clods  of  earth  alter  the^.  Young  Africa,  nothing 
daunted,  shouted  back  from  what  he  considered  a 
safe  distance,  "  He,  he,  he  !  Dat's  one  of  de  gims 
yer  hears  tell  on,  but  never  sees.  He",  he,  he!" 
Dave,  however,  took  no  notice  of  this  taunt. 

They  now  overtook,  near  the  house,  a  pale  mu- 
latto boy,  seated  on  a  white  horse  which  defied  de- 
scription,— a  caricature  of  that  noble  animal.  Be- 
fore Tiim,  and  resting  on  the  neck  of  the  meek  brute, 
'the  boy  held  a  bucket  of  water,  which  slopped  over 
at  every  step,  drenching  both  the  horse  and  himself. 
He  turned  round  with  a  pleasant  smile,  and  holding 
the  pail  on  with  his  left  hand,  gave  his  right  one  to 
Weza,  and  cried,  "  Hillo  !  mighty  glad  to  see  yer. 
Hope  ye's  well,"  and  the  tri  moved  on  together. 
"There,  now,"  cried  Dave,  proudly,  "see  that 


>u 


mmi 


«0 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


contrivance  for  gettiu'  water  from  the  spring. 
That  boy's  mighty  lame,  haint  got  no  use  of  liis 
legs,  and  all  he  can  do  he  has  to  do  a  hossbaclc. 
I've  gill  him  that  hoss  for  his  own,  and  'tween  'cm 
they  do  a  mighty  heap  o'  work,"  he  added,  looking 
proudly  at  both  the  horse  and  his  rider.  "  I  reckons 
they  go  down  to  the  spring  twenty  times  a  day." 

When  they  reached  the  door,  Weza  took  the  pail 
from  lame  Obcd,  and  when  she  saw  the  small  sup- 
ply of  water  it  contained  she  wondered  that  he  did 
not  go  forty  times  instead  of  twenty.  v  t,  >'  . 
Dave  threw  oj)en  a  door,  and  exclaimed,  «  Well, 
old  woman,  I've  fetched  what  yer  want  this  time, 
I  reckon.  Old  De  Grow's  overseer  tells  me  this 
woman  is  a  mighty  fine  Christian  ;  that  she  cooks 
like  an  angel  and  r^ver  runs  off;  yer  couldn't  hire 
her  to  go,  'cause  elicves  in  de  cuss  on  Canaan, 

and  dat  it  would  ...^  to  get  rid  on't.  Now  speak 
to  her  civil,  for  she's  mighty  down  in  the  mouth 
about  some  boys  she's  left  :  and  let's  see  if  we 'can't 
get  a  decent  meal  o'  victuals  for  once."  ^u 

The  lady  to  whom  these  remarks  were  addressed 
occupied  two  chairs,  lolling  on  one,  and  stretching 
out  her  limbs  on  another.  In  her  mouth  she  held 
a  pipe,  which  was  not  removed  when  she  said,  as 
well  as  she  could  with  clenched  teeth,  "  Glad  to  see 
yer.    Hope   yer  tough,   and    good  natur'd,    and 


"'iy^ 


DAVE  HUOOINS  "  AT  HOME. 


61 


the  spriiif^. 
•  use  of  his 
a  hoasback. 

'tween  'cm 
cd,  looking 
"  I  reckons 
I  a  day." 
ok  the  pail 

small  sup- 
that  he  did 

•1,  «  Well, 
;  this  time, 
Is  me  this 
she  cooks 
uldn't  hire 
•n  Canaan, 
!»fow  speak 
the  mouth 
f  we  can't 

* 

addressed 
stretching 
1  she  held 
}  said,  as 
rlad  to  see 
ir'd,    and 


cheerful,  and  willin',  and  smart,  and  that  yer  hate 
company,  and  keep  clear  o'  meetin's  and  sich  like. 
Take  a  cheer.     Got  a  pipe  ?  "  • 

This  was  uttered  with  such  monotony  of  voice 
and  such  lustreless  eyes  that  Weza  at  first  thought 
the  woman  half  drunk ;  but  she  soon  saw  that  it 
was  not  so,  and  replied  with  a  trembling  voice,  "  I 
wasn't  never  'lowed  to  smoke,  thank  yer,  missus." 

"  Put  down  yer  bundle  and  go  out  in  the  kitchen 
and  get  dinner,  then.  Be  mighty  quick,  for  I'm 
a' 'most  starved.  Yer'U  find  corn-meal  some'hers 
out  there,  and  bacon,  heaps  'ont,  a  hangin'  round," 
she  said,  by  way  of  orders.  "  If  there  ain't  no 
wood  split,  yer  can  pick  up  corn  cobs,  I  reckon." 

"  How  many  for  dinner,  missus,  and  where'U  I 
lay  the  table  ?  "  asked  poor  Weza  in  a  tremulous 
tone.  -;  ' '  -^ 

"  Him  and  me's  all  the  ladies  and  gentlemen 
there  is,  and  we  have  our  table  sot  right  here  by 
my  cheer,"  replied  the  mistress,  from  the  side  of 
the  pipe.  "  We've  got  a  dinin'  room  to  the  man- 
sion house,  but  it  wants  a  heap  o'  fixin'  up  ;  and 
then  it's  a  heap  a  trouble  to  git  up  out  o'  yer  cheer 
and  go  into  another  room  every  time  ye  eat.  So  I 
have  this  table  hauled  up  to  me,  and  a  cheer  sot 
for  him." 


■m 


-fe' 


^^ 


62 


OUT   OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


"  Has  yer  got  the  rheumatiz,  missus  ? "  asked 
Weza,  compassionately,    r-''      ~  . SP 

"  Well,  no,  guess  not  'zactly ;  but  my  jints  is 
kind  of  weak  and  tired  all  the  time ;  so  I  likes  to 
sit  still  mostly,  with  my  Ug&  up  in  a  cheer,"  said 
the  lady. 

This  statement  was  strictly  true  not  only  of 
Mrs.  Kuggins  herself  but  of  her  husband,  and, 
indeed,  of  every  thing  they  owned.  He  sat  in  one 
chair,  she  sat  in  two.  The  few  men  they  owned 
sat  down  in  the  field  half  the  time.  Obed,  the 
lame  boy,  sat  on  his  horse,  and  the  horse,  once  the 
star  of  a  circus,  retained  the  one  trick  of  sitting 
like  a  hound  on  his  haunches.  Obed  had  acquired 
a  strange  facility  of  holding  on  to  his  friend  under 
all  difficulties ;  so  that  a  young  gentleman  on  the 
next  plantation  had  playfully  named  the  united 
pair  "The  Centaur."  Several  carts  and  wagons 
belonging  to  the  plantation  had  also  taken  perma- 
nent seats  on  the  grass.  The  verandah  roof,  as  we 
have  stated,  sat  on  pine  logs,  and  the  settee  sat  on 
a  butter  tub ;  while  the  mansion  house  —  Huggins 
clung  to  this  name  as  the  ghost  of  its  former  gran- 
deur —  looked  as  if  it  were  making  an  effijrt  to  sit 
down  also.  The  owners  and  their  whole  establish- 
ment could  have  said  from  the  heart,  with  *'  Cheap 
Jack,"  "  Our  favorite  posture  is  sitting  down." 


>, 


DAVE  HUGGIKsi  "  AT   HOME. 


68 


?"  asked 

ny  jints  is 
>  I  likes  to 
lecr,"  said 

)t  only  of 
)and,  and, 

sat  in  one 
ley  owned 
Obed,  the 
3,  once  the 

of  sitting 
1  acquired 
lend  under 
an  on  the 
the  united 
id  wagons 
:ea  perma- 
roof,  as  we 
ttee  sat  on 
—  Huggins 
raier  gran- 
sffort  to  sit 
J  establish- 
h  «  Cheap 
3wn." 


This  physical    inactivity 'was   not  without    its 
blessings  to  the  slaves  of  Huggins,  several  of  whom 
had  deliberately  walked  off,  feeling  quite  sure  that 
he  would  not  have  the  energy   to  chase  them, 
although  he  would  shout  after  them  about  "  my 
•run."     Smart  blacks  had  been  too  much  for  him  ; 
and  he  had  lost  so  much  by  them,  that  he  had 
long  since  come  to  the  conclusion  to  buy  cheap 
such  as  could  scarcely  better  themselves  by  run- 
ning off.     So  his  working  force  now  consisted  of 
three  old  men,  a  young  one  with  a  stiff  leg,  and 
two  half  grown  boys  in  the  field,  with  the  cripple 
Obed,  and  Weza  for  the  house.    The  last  had  been 
bought  to  fill  the  place  of  "  an  ungrateful  creatur ' 
who  had  run  off  after  having  had  a  present  of  a 
red  calico  dress,  and  a  pink  turban  at  Christmas." 
Dave  Huggins   labored  under    the    impression 
that  he  was  the  scion  of  a  noble  but  fallen  house, 
and  that  he  must  in  soitie  way  keep  up  its  dignity. 
As  he  had  not  energy  to  vie  with  his  neighbors, 
he  threw  all  his   deficiencies  into  the  descending 
ficale  of  "  bad  luck."    The  truth  was,  he  had  no 
reputation  to  keep  up,  having  been  in  his  best  days 
—  if  he  ever  had    such — the  overseer  of  this 
place.     The  plantation  had  long  been   a  bill  of 
expense  to  its  former  owner,  who  had  sold  it  to 
liim  and  gone  North,  years  ago,  to  educate  his 


♦;4 


1 


54 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


} 


family.  The  decay,  which  |iad  been  going  on 
there  for  two  generations,  advanced  rapidly  when 
Dave,  now  his  own  master,  married  one  of  the 
"  poor  whites,"  a  woman  too  lazy  to  breathe  —  if 
she  could  help  doing  it  —  and  devoted  his  time  to 
the  pipe  and  gin  bottle.  While  he  had  a  great  de- 
sire to  be  a  respectable  man  like  Col.  Leon,  his 
neighbor,  he  could  not  rouse  himself  to  plan,  or 
carry  out  work  on  the  plantation.  When  he  occar 
sionally  woke  up  to  see  his  low  estate,  he  would 
say,  mournfully,  "  If  I'd  only  a  married  Madam 
Leon,  I  might  have  been  a  gentleman  by  this 
time."  When  Mrs.  Huggins  couldn't  get  tobacco 
enough,  or  had  to  rise  from  off  her  chair  for  any 
thing,  she  would  sigh,  and  say,  "  If  I'd  a  married 
Col.  Leon  when  I  was  a  gall,  I  mought  a  had 
whatsomever  I  wanted  now,  and  been  a  lady,  too, 
as  well  as  *■  Madam '  that  holds  her  head  so  high, 
and  don't  ax  us  to  her  dinner  parties."  They 
both  seemed  to  regard  their  elegant  neighbor  and 
■liis  saintly  wife  as  in  some  way  rcsjwnsible  for 
Iheir  "  ill  luck,"  .and  comforted  themselves  by 
calling  them  "  nalwbs "  and  "  dukes."  Still, 
when  the  colonel  sent  Dave  new  corn  seed  or 
samples  of  sugar  cane,  or  when  he  chatted  with 
him  a  moment  in  the  road,  he  was  greatly  flat- 
tered, and  usually  boasted  of  it  at  home,  saying, 


i 


DAVE   HUOOINS  "  AT  HOME. 


56 


"  Well,  I  tell  yer,  he's  a  real  gentleman.  There's 
something  in  Wood,  after  all,  for  them  Leons  al- 
ways was  a  sort  o'  noble.  I've  heern  tell  that  their 
great  grandfather  took  dinner  with  the  French 
king  once." 


,     ■        *             .              ■     V     . 

1            *'  *      ,* 

.      .     i    -      r            ...        »         . 

. 

^ 

*        1  '  ,-        1  ,      i'-   "     .     \    • 

1"          * 

• 

J     , 

.,  .     .  ,=     r  ,.'     „ 

T,t- 

- 

' 

'    •      '       ■           .     .Jr.     '         ,,K         ., 

■'    J    .*        -i         -i.MtjS^,!      ' 

' 

.-'         '             - 

'i-M-         '■• 

1 

•                                            * 

•     1              ■•»*.»         .^-,„ 

.,'-.    «'y^K 

'     '»                  ! 

iM-       i  •-         .*.    /U, 

■  , 

?';;       "(*■"!          ,1 

* 

..«            r         '■          '             -            .            ,     t 

, 

J 

-   '  '^ '     t^ '  *i 

■'       ,'    'i 

•          ^     * 

• 

'      '    Jfkii' 

.' 

CHAPTER  VI. 

DAVE  HUGGINS   RECEIVES   HIS   FIBST  LETTER. 

WHAT  Dave's  establishment  lacked  in  style  it 
made  up  in  plenty.  There  was  little  variety 
in  the  culinary  department,  because  they  never  had 
a  cook ;  but  bacon  hung  from  every  beam  in  kitchen 
and  shed  —  the  smoke-house  having  taken  a  per- 
manent "scat"  in  the  form  of  loose  boards, and 
shingles  —  and  an  overflowing  corn  bin  invited 
both  slaves  and  poultry  to  come  and  partake ; 
which  they  did  with  equal  freedom.  And  this 
generosity  was  the  planter's  boast  and  pride.  His 
one  argument  on  tlie  subject  of  right  and  wrofig, 
which  was  then  shaking  the  nation,  was,  "  Let 
them  meddlesome  Yankees  come  down  here  and 
see  my  niggers  cat,  and  I  guess  they'd  quit  abusin' 
slavery ;  I'd  like  to  see  the  one  o'  'em  that  would 
take  this  lot  off  my  hands  and  feed  'em  as  well  as 
1  do  for  the  work  they'd  get ! " 
That  man  couldn't  have  been  found  at  the  North ; 

M 


lETTER. 

in  style  it 
tile  variety 
'  never  liad 
I  in  kitchen 
ken  a  per- 
boardsand 
bin  invited 
d  partake ; 
And  this 
pride.  His 
and  wrofig, 
was,  "  Let 
n  here  and 
quit  abusiii' 
that  would 
d  as  well  as 

t  the  North ; 


DAVE  HUGGIN'S  RECEIVES   HIS  FIRST  LETTER.      57 

and  Dave's  working  force  would  probably  have 
been  provided  with  hospital  accommodations  here. 
He  was  tinily  a  philanthropist,  in  his  way.  He 
was  too  generous  to  starve,  too  good-natured  to 
scold,  and  too  lazy  to  whip  them ;  so  that  his  gov- 
ernment had  resolved  itself  into  this  threat: 
"  Ycr'U  see  me  a  fetchin'  out  my  gun." 

This  gun  was  a  myth,  a  fabulous  creation  of  his 
own  brain,  and  occupied,  among  Bre-arms,  much 
the  position  which  "  Mrs.  Harris  "  occupies  among 
women. 

Weza  cooked  the  first  rude  dinner  and  laid  the 
cloth  without  an  additional  hint  from  her  mistress. 
While  "  hunting  up  the  dishes,"  as  she  had  been 
told  to  do,  her  poor  heart  throbbed  with  the  pain 
of  homesickness  and  bereavement,  and  the  tears 
stole  down  her  cheeks.  Mrs.  Huggins  saw  the 
drops  between  two  whiffs  of  her  pipe,  and  said, 
kindly,  "  Don't  fret ;  life's  full  o'  botherations,  any 
way,  whether  yer  rich  or  poor,  black  or  white.  I 
lost  two  boys  once  myself,  without  their  beiu'  sold, 
—  they  died  with  snuffles-like,  a  wheezin'  and 
wheezin'  till  they  died.  I  felt  powerful  bad,  first 
go  off ;  but  I  soon  got  over  it,  and  now  I  never 
think  on  'em  'less  somebody  speaks  on't.  Chil- 
dren's a  heap  o'  trouble,  any  way ;  and  if  yer 
hain't  got  'em,  they  hain't  to  be  looked  after. 


■■■i 


/  miw 


68 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


■ 


There  was  forever  somethin'  to  be  done  for  'em ; 
corn  cake  to  be  spread  with  molasses,  and  then 
heir  faces  to  wash,  and  —  all  creation.  It  was  a 
mighty  bother,  too,  to  keep  the  run  of  their  shoes, 
and  as  to  stockin's,  I  never  could  keep  two  o'  one 
color  on  mine  !  And  yer  children  would  ha'  been 
forever  gettin'  splinters  in  their  bare  feet,  and  ycr'd 
had  awful  times  takin'  keer  on 'em,  'sides  doin' 

yer  work."    ''•" ' 

"  But  0  missus,  I  could  work  myself  to  death 
for  one  sight  o'  my  boys,  or  even  for  a  word  from 
dem  ;  dey's  so  dear  to  my  heart.  I  believe  it's  a 
bleedin',  for  I  thinks  I  feels  de  blood  a  tricklin' 

down." 

"  Oh,  keep,  up  heart,  and  when  quarterly  meetin' 
comes,  yer  shall  go  to't,  if  1  have  to  make  the  hoe 
cake  with  my  own  hands,  yer  shall ;  for  I  like  yer 
looks,  yer  so  feelin'  in  yer  way  to  tired  folks !  " 

"  Please,  missus,  moughtn't  I  go  to  de  Lord's 
house  once  of  a  Sunday  to  git  a  few  words  to  lean 
my  soul  agin  durin'  de  week  ?  "  asked  Weza. 

"  Well,  no,  I'm  'feared  not,  for  yer  master's  got 
powerful  sot  agin  the  meetin'  near  us.  Col. 
Leon  sot  out  to  git  it  painted,  and  he  come  to  see 
♦hat  lluggins  would  give  towards  it.  But  Hug- 
gins  said  he  never  wore  the  paint  off,  and  so  wasn't 
goin'  to  put  it  on.    He  said  he  never  once  leaned 


(1* 


DAVE   HUGGINS  RECEIVES  HIS   FIRST  LETTER.      69 


for  'em; 
and  then 
It  was  a 
Ejir  shoes, 
wo  o'  one 
1  ha'  been 
and  yer'd 
ides  doin' 

t  to  death 
i?ord  from 
lieve  it's  a 
a  tricklin' 

rly  meetin' 
ike  the  hoe 
r  I  like  yer 
•oiks!" 
de  Lord's 
rds  to  lean 

aaster's  got 
r  us.  Col. 
come  to  see 
But  Hug- 
nd  so  wasn't 
once  leaned 


up  agin  the  clapboards,  as  some  folks  did  ;  but  al- 
ways dot  down  on  the  grass  afore  and  »ifter  meetin'. 
The  colonel  he  got  riled,  and  said  iluggins  was 
mean.  Now  Huggins  is  a  powerful  high-spirited 
man,  and  couldn't  stan'  that;  so  we've  left  the 
Presbyterians  and  goes  to  Methodis'  meetin'  quar- 
terly— that's  once  in  three  months ;  and  it  saves  a 
powerful  lot  o'  time,  besides  yer  Sunday  clothes, 
not  to  go  so  often.  My  best  silk  looks  five  years 
younger  since  I  quit  goin'  every  week,  and  my 
parasol  that's  got  a  slit  into  it,  don't  let  the  smi 
on  my  head,  neither,  when  I  don't  use  it,"  said 
missus. 
Weza  groaned,  but  made  no  reply.  * 
*'  Yer  massa  will  let  yer  eat  as  i^oh  as  yer 
want,  day  or  night ;  but  there's  two  things  he's 
down  on,  —  goin'  to  meetin's  and  havin'  company. 
It  gets  yer  all  stirred  up,  and  makes  yer  uncon- 
tented with  yer  own  liome.  And  yer  can  get 
religion  just  as  well  by  yerself,  as  if  yer  had  a 
paid  minister  ;to  get  it  for  yer.  I'm  mighty  glad 
yer  a  Oj^-istian,  'cause  yer  want  heaps  o'  patience 
here.  Yer  the  only  sound  one  on  the  plantation, 
and  there'll  be  heaps  put  upon  yer.  We've  been 
awful  unlucky  in  havin'  so  many  of  our  people  get 
old  and  lame."  She  forgot  tlioy  had  all  been 
bought  so,  at. low  prices. 


^ 


ssas. 


60 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Hero  Dave  came  in,  dragging  his  feet  heavily 
along,  to  ask  if  dinner  was  not  ready.  Seeing 
Wcza's  tears,  ho  asked,  good-naturedly,  "  What's 
the  matter  ?     Aint  you  had  enough  to  eat  yet?  " 

"  Yes,  thank  ye,  massa,  plenty ;  and  there's 
heaps  there  when  I'm  hungry  agin,"  she  replied. 

"  Well,  well !  "  cried  Dave,  in  surprise, "  when  a 
body  has  enough  to  eat,  I  can't  see  for  the  life  o' 
me,  what  they  can  find  to  cry  about."  Such  was 
Dave  Huggins'  idea  of  the  vast  capacities  and  the 
deep  longings  of  the  immortal  mind. 

Weza  found  it  true,  as  Mrs.  Huggins  had  sug- 
gested, that  she  would  need  grace  in  her  new 
home.  She  was  really  at  the  liead  of  a  private 
hospital,  and  her  coming  to  the  plantation  was  like 
the  .advent  of  a  cheering  and  healing  angel.  She 
relieved  poor  Obed  of  many  a  long,  wet  ride  from 
the  spring,  and  put  his  clothes  in  order  so  that  he 
was  not  forced  to  tie  them  on  with  rope-ends. 
She  fed  the  hogs  —  whose  name  was  legion  —  to 
ease  the  ycJuth  with  the  stiff'  knee  ;  and  for  the  old 
men,  who  wrought  in  the  field  or  not,  as  they 
1  (leased,  she  sewed,  and  talked,  and  "  preached  " 
—  they  called  it  —  about  "  de  dear  Lord  Jesus, 
dat  was  all  and  in  all  to  her  soul  now."  But  her 
talking  was  very  meekly  done;  it  was  her  pure, 
patient  life,  0!id  her  whispered  prayers,  that  broke 


DAVE  HUOOINS  RECEIVES   HIS   FIRST  LETl'ER.      Gl 


,  heavily 
Seeing 
"  What'B 
yet?"      ' 
I  there's 
epUed. 
"  when  a 
he  life  o' 
such  was 
}  and  the 

had  sug- 
hei*  new 
a  private 
1  was  Uke 
gel.    She 
ride  from 
so  that  ho 
rope-ends. 
3gion — to 
for  the  old 
t,  as  they 
preached  " 
ord  Jesus, 
'    But  her 
,  her  pure, 
that  broke 


as  a  sunbeam  on  the  dull,  slow,  lazy  life  at  the 
Huggins  plantation. 

Weza  had  been  some  weeks'  in  her  new  home, 
toiling  hard  to  perform  her  own  duties,  and  to  aid 
llic  less  favored,  and  not  an  unkind  word  had 
Allien  on  her  ear.    :     ■     o;      ••  :  ,     '? 

A  remarkable  event  occurred  one  day  on  the 
iliiggins  plantation :  Dave  received  a  letter.  Obed 
and  the  horse  had  not  been  to  the  post-office  for 
a  year,  for  their  owner  lived  as  independent  of 
mail  arrangements  as  did  the  fowls  on  his  place; 
but  the  colonel's  Jim  had  shoufcjd  to  .the  "  cent- 
aur," on  the  road,  that  he  had  brought  down  a 
letter  for  massa  Huggins  when  he  went  for  the 
mail. 

Obed  possessed  himself  of  the  mysterious  treas- 
ure, and  in  his  haste  to  deliver  it  and  to  hear  the 
news  it  contained,  he  actually  slapped  his  horse 
with  the  palm  of  his  hand,  under  the  vain  delusion 
that  he  might  thus  quicken  its  pace.  • 

*  When  Dave  took  the  letter  in  his  hand,  he  ex- 
claimed, "  Who  on  the  face  o'  natur'  could  have 
writ  me  a  letter,  and  what  can  it  be  about? 
I  don't  owe  nobody  nothing,  and  I  haint  got  no- 
body to  die  and  invite  me  to  their  funeral."  Then 
he  peeped  into  the  end,  much  as  one  would  into  a 
serpent's  retreat,  but  all  within  was  blank  or  dark. 


■■I 


f 


02 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Then  he  studied  the  handwriting  ;  he  was  not  an 
expert,  and  all  writing  looked  alilic  to  him.  Still 
looking  seriously  at  the  paper,  which  was  a  ruled 
leaf  from  an  old  account  book,  he  asked  his  wife, 
"  Have  yer  got  any  folks  any  where  that  could 
die  ?  " 

"  No,  not  as  I  know  on.  I  had  a  sister  once, 
yer  know,  and  after  the  old  folks  died  she  went 
off  to  Texyas,  or  some  of  them  wild  countries. 
But  she  wouldn't  know  where  to  send  for  me  if 
she  was  dead,"  replied  Mrs.  iluggius,  not  at  all 
disturbed  by  the  sad  suggestion.  ,-.»;,*  ,.jMr  jaj 

"  Well,  it  beats  all !  "  cried  Dave.  "  Who  can 
have  writ  it  ?  " 

"  Why  don't  yer  open  it  and  find  out  ?  "  was  the 
sensible  suggestion  which  Mrs.  Huggins  sent  forth 
from  the  side  of  her  pipe  stem. 

But  Dave  enjoyed  the  excitement  of  suspense; 
so  he  tantalized  himself  a  while  longer,  before  he 
put  on  his  brass-bowed  spectacles  and  broke  the 
red  wafer.  When  he  did  so,  his  wife  actually  rose 
up,  crossed  the  room  and  looked  over  his  shoulder, 
although  her  youthful  training  had  been  so  neg- 
lected that  she  could  not  read  writing.  Let  us  not 
be  misunderstood.  We  do  not  affirm  that  Mrs. 
Huggins  was  an  illiterate  woman  for  one  of  her 
class  ;  for  she  was  not.     She  could  i-ead  the  Bible 


DAVE  HUGOINS  RECEIVES   HIS  FIBST  LETTEa.      63 

—  if  she  wanted  to  —  and  was  mistress  of.  tho 
almanac  in  all  its  diversified  lore  of  sun,  and 
moon,  and  tides. 

Alter  studying  and  deciphering  the  hieroglyph- 
icH  a  few  moments,  Dave  whisiHJred  "  It's  from  old 
DcGrow's  overseer,  about  Weza's  boy.  Ho  says 
he's  had  a  letter  from  the  gentleman  that  bought 
him,  and  ihat  the  boy  is  only  a  plaything  in  the 
house,  aud  is  as  happy  as  if  he  never  had  a 
mother.  '  He  —  is  —  dre-dressed  —  up  like  a  pup- 
py,' "  read  Dave,  "  no,  tain't  jnqypy ;  p-u-p*p-e-t, 
puppet,  and  the  —  ladies  —  call  him  the  —  Black 
Prince.  So— tell  —  yer — little  —  woman  —  I  have 
let  the  gentleman  —  know  —  where  —  slie  —  is,  — 
so  that  if  he — ever  —  comes  —  this  way  —  with 
the  boy  -^  he  can  hunt  her  —  up.' 

"  But  it'll  never  do  to  let  her  know  this  has 
come,  or  she'll  take  advantage  and  run  oflF.  If  she 
should  ever  get  powerful  troubled  about  him  I'll 
tell  her  on't,"  added  Dave,  in  a  confidential  tone, 
to  Mrs.  Huggins. 

So  Dave  crumpled  up  the  rude  letter  and  put  it 
in  among  the  Innumerable  contmits  of  his  deep 
pocket,  as  a  kind-hearted  grandmother  stows  away 
sugar  plums  for  the  future  comfort  of  some 
troubled  child.     Mrs.  Dave  settled  back  into  her 


m 


64 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


old  'poature  with  the  remark,  "  She's  a  mighty 
nice  little  creatur'  and  very  feelin'  toward  tired 
■folks,  and  we  must  keep  her  at  all  hazards." 


*   ■  !U,i--- 


■h>ttJ'«riMM»/.MiMllte 


CHAPTER  Vn. 


A  VISION  AND  AN  INVITATION. 


THE  evening  of  the  day  on  which  tlie -letter  was 
received,  Huggins  and  his  wife  heard  an  ani- 
mated voice  holding  forth  in  the  outer  kitchen, 
intennipted  occasionally  by  such  exclamations  as, 
"  Well,  now,  dat's  mighty  strange ! "  "  Praise  de 
Lord !  "  »  Hallelujah." 

"  Got  company,  sure's  I'm  alive ! "  cried  Dave, 
rising  ;  "  for  none  of  my  folks  talks  off  like  that ! 
Fetch  me  the  gun ! " 

Of  course,  as  Mrs.  Huggins  knew  he  had  no  gun, 
she  did  not  essay  to  obey  orders,  but  retained  her 
comfortable  position  in  two  chairs,  enveloped  in  a 
delicate  drapery  of  tobacco  smoke. 

Neither  did  Dave  wait  for  her  to  obey  him, 
but  went  out  with  considerable  animation  to  the 
kitchen  to  take  aim  at  the  intruders  with  his  in- 
visible weapon.  But  there  were  no  intruders 
there. 

6S 


■■■i 


66 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


His  own  family  were  all  seated,  some  on  up- 
tuined  corn  baskets,  otliers  on  blocks  and  benches, 
while  the  lame  boy  reclined  at  his  ease  in  a  nest 
of  corn  liusks.  With  open  mouth  and  eyes  they 
were  listening  to  the  usually  shy  and  quiet  little 
woman,  who  was  relating  to  them  some  wonderful 
event. 

"Who's  been  here  for  company ?"  asked  the 
master,  gruffly. 

"  Nobod} ,  massa,"  replied  all  in  one  voice. 
■  "  Who's  this  a  preachin',  then  ?  "  he  asked  with 
a  searching  glance,  for  he  thought  there  was  some 
neighbor's  slave  there  who    had    hidden   at  his 
approach. 

"  Nobody,"  replied  Weza.  "  Dat  was  only  me 
a  talkin',  cip.^sa." 

"  Yer  makin'  suchlike  noise  as  tliat !  I  didn't 
know  there  was  so  much  noise  in  yer.  What  was 
yerasayin?"     ■       '  *"."    .     '•  •  f     .  -.  •  lui 

''  0,  massa,  I've  had  such  a  mighty  power  come 
over  me,"  cried  the  little  woman,  "  dat  I  couldn't 
hold  my  peace.  'Pears  like  somebody  else  was  a 
talkin'  with  my  tongue,  and  sajriu'  things  dat's  too 
high  for  me  to  speak  ;  and  do  more  I  talk,  de 
nioi'o  de  great  words  and  big  thoughts  pours  into 
luy  soul.  'Pears  like  1  had  wings  now  and  wanted 
to  fly  away !  " 


A   VISION   AND   AN  INVITATION. 


67 


*'  No,  no,  yer  mustn't  talk  about  rnnnin'  away. 
I  don't  'low  that,  and  besides,  yer  a  Christian, 
Weza,  and  yer  surely  wouldn't  cheat  me  out  of 
the  price  I  paid  for  yer."  -■    ji  as   '<■■._- 

"  No,  massa,  yer  welcome  to  de  poor  frail  body, 
and  I'll  sarve  yer  faithful  wid  dat ;  but  de  soul,  dat 
aiut  bound !  Dat  flies  on  wings  hether  and  yon, 
up  to  heaven  and  back  to  earth,  and  far  way  off 
to  de  chil'days  when  I  had  a  mammy  dat  loved 
and  sarved  de  Lord,  and  dat  gin  her  poor  bashful 
little  child  up  to  him  to  take  keer  on,  when  she 
went  home  to  Jesus--"  -     ' 

•j  "  Why,"  cried  Dave,  "  yer ve  got  a  heap  of  re- 
ligion, little  woman,  as  much  as  if  yer'd  been 
owned  by  Col.  Leon  and  got  Scriptur'  larnin'  from 
madam  every  Sunday  night  with  her  black  folks ! 
She's  been  'cused  of  larnin'  some  on  'em  to  read, 
sly ;  but  I  can't  believe  that !  She's  too  good  a 
woman  to  break  the  laws  of  the  land.  What  were 
yer  preachin'  about  ? ''  he  asked. 
V  "  Why,  massa,"  cried  Weza,  smiling  through 
her  tears,  "  I  see  de  Lord  Jesus  last  night,  and  he 
held  my  hand  in  his  and  talked  wid  me,  oh,  how 
lovely !    I  was  tellin'  dese  ones  on't." 

"  Pho,  pho,"  cried  Dave,  "  that's  all  stuflF!  Black 
folks  that  has  religion  always  sees  sights  and  such 
like  in  their  sleep,  and  thinks  it's  real." 


J 


'.11  ii.m»jj<wwnwiwp^wwi 


L 


C8 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


"  No,  massa,  not  all ;  I  ne\'er  see  de  Lord  afore. 
He  did  trull/  come  to  me  last  night  and  whisper 
such  lovin'  words,  dat  I  cried  'cause  he  wouldn't 
take  me  home  wid  hira  den,  —  my  Brother  Jesus ! 
0  massa,  ax  him  to  visit  yer." 

"  What  did  he  say  ? "  asked  Dave,  taking  a  seat 
and  looking  at  Weza  in  surprise. 

"  He  said  words  beautiful  enough  to  make  a 
whole  heaven  out  of,''  replied  the  little  woman. 

"  Well,  go  on,"  said  Dave,  "  I  like  to  hear 
stories  whei>  such  good  behaved  folks  as  yer  tells 
them."        ":"■■-*':'.,;:■■-;;:• '^..^  .  v 

"  Well,  massa,  I  was  a  layin'  in  dat  great  empty 
room  wid  my  eyes  wide  open  and  seein'  of  do  stars' 
through  de  window,  when  all  of  a  sudden  I  heard 
de  sweetest  music,  like  it  was  miles  off!  Oh,  it 
made  me  think  of  my  home  up  yonder,  and  de 
tears  roll  down  and  I  say, '  0,  Brother  Jesus,  take 
me  and  my  boys  where  dat  music  is ! '  Den, 
massa,  all  de  big  room  look  like  it  was  a  forest  full 
of  great  pine  trees  and  I  was  feared  I  couldn't  find 
my  way  out.  De  pine  trees  sing  round  me,  and  de 
far  otf  music  come  nearer  and  nearer,  and  de  stars 
shine  through  do  branches.  All  in  a  minute  a 
great  light  shine  round  ;  and  in  de  midst  of  de 
light,  wid  do  crown  on  his  head  and  de  wounds  iu 
his  hands,  dere  stood   my  brother ;  him  dat  was 


A   VISION  AND   AN   INVIT'nOf. 


69 


once  a  sufferer  oa  de  arth  and  so  knows  how  to 
feel  for  us.  Den#I  went  up  to  him,  and  I  says, 
*  Lord,  I'm  in  de  wilderness  here,  and  I  can't  get 
out ! '  Den  he  took  ray  hand  in  his  and  clasped  a 
long  gold  chain  —  like  my  other  missus  wear 
round  her  neck —  on  my  wrist  and  told  me  to  look 
round  'bout  de  wilderness.  I  looked,  and  it  was 
full  of  a  company  dat  no  man  could  number  ;  and 
massa,  heaps  on  'em  was  held  by  a  chain  like 
mine,  and  all  the  chains  was  gathered  up  in  his 
heart.  I  looked  way  off  in  de  dark  corners  to 
some  dat  was  hanging  back.  De  chains  was  very 
loose  and  some  on  'em  was  down  in  de  dust  all 
dimmed ;  but  dey  was  dere  still ;  and  our  loviu' 
brother  dat  loves  unto  de  end,  he  still  held  or., 
even  wlien  some  on  'em  tried  to  break  loose  from 
him  !  Den  I  saw  my  little  boys  and  hesps  more  I 
knew,  all  bound  to  him  by  gold  chains,  and  he  led 
'em  on  safe.  Dey  sometimes  stumbled  and  fell, 
but  he  drew  'em  up  and  on  after  him. 

"  Den  I  cried, '  Oh,  take  me  out  of  dis  wilder^ 
ness ! '  but  he  say,  '  No ;  but  I  will  lead  yer 
through  it,  and  by-and-bye  out  of  it,  and  take  yer 
home  to  glory ! '  But  he  said, '  Yer  most  travel  on 
patient  and  faithful  and  praying,  and  give  yerself 
up  for  others,  like  I  did.    I've  got  work  for  yer  iu 


70 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDEBNE88. 


dis  wilderness.'    Den  I  say,  *  All  dat  I  will  try  to 
do  for  Jesus ! ' 

"  Soon  I  saw  one  powerful  great  man  dat  look 
mighty  cross,  and  I  was  feared  of  him  and  tried 
to  get  far  away  from  him.  But  my  brother  Jesus 
read  that  in  my  heart,  and  he  point  to  de  great 
man  and  say^'  He  too  is  bound  by  a  gold  chain  to 
my  heart  and  I  love  him  wid  everlasting  love ! 
I  give  him  to  be  yer  shepherd,  to  comfort  yer 
poor,  weak  heart  here  and  to  help  yer  on  to 
glory  I'  When  I  look  at  de  big  man  again,  his 
face  was  covered  with  kind  smiles  and  he  held 
out  his  hand  and  say, '  I'll  take  keer  o'  yer  poor, 
weak  little  woman ! '  And  den  I  felt  like  I  had 
a  whole  garishon  o'  sogers  a  guardin'  of  me. 
'Feared  like  de  Lord  and  his  hosts  was  all  about 
me. 

"  I  talked  with  him  till  de  light  broke,  and  den 
de  wilderness  vanished  off ; 'and  my  brother  went 
too,  sayin'  still  as  he  left  me,  '  I  will  lead  yer 
through  the  wilderness  and  out  of  it  and  home  to 
glory  ! '  And  I  feel  de  gold  chain  round  my  hand 
yet  and  him  drawing  me  !  " 

Dave  made  no  reply,  and  encouraged  by  his  si- 
lence, the  little  woman  said,  "  I  been  tellin'  dem 
.  dis  and  all  'bout  my  life  when  I  was  at  home,  and 
dey  been  tryin'  to  pick  up  do  little  religion  dcy 


Mto 


A   VISION  AND   AN  INVITATION. 


71 


once  had,  and  we  was  just  goin'  to  say  our  prayers 
and  sing,  when  yer  come  in,  massa.  Mought  we 
go  on  ?  " 

■  Pho !  pho ! "  cried  Dave, "  yer've  been  dreamin' 
and  I  reckons  yer've  talked  enough  for  this  night ! 
and  don't  yer  go  teachin'  my  boys  to  read,  Weza, 
mind  that." 

;  "  Two  on  'em  can  read  as  good  as  me,  massa ; 
but  it  won't  hurt  'em.  Dey'U  work  just  as  faith- 
ful," she  replied. 

"  Well,  I  never  larnt  'em  that,"  replied  Dave, 
with  a  nod  of  satisfaction,  "  and  so  can't  be  held^ 
responsible  for  it !  If  they'd  never  tell  on't,  so's 
to  stir  up  the  neighbor's  blacks,  they  mought  take 
old  books  out  of  two  chests  in  the  garret  to  'muse 
themselves  o'  nights,  for  all  I  care." 
^*' Mought  we  have  a  Bible,  massa?  I  lost 
my  piece  of  old  Job's  dat  he  gave  my  mammy 
when  I  was  sold,"  said  the  little  woman. 

Your  missus  has  got  one  that  a  trampin'  par- 
son gin  her,  and  she's  so  choice  on't  that  she  won't 
even  read  it  herself.  It's  got  gold  on  the  kivers. 
I  don't  believe  she'd  let  yer  touch  it  with  one 
finger,"  replied  the  master. 

"  Mought  I  ax  her,  massa  ?  "  inquired  Weza. 

"  Yes  ;  and  if  she'll  lend  it  to  any  body  on  artli, 
she'll  lend  it  to  yer,  little  woman  ;  yer  so  pleasant, 


«rs5 


72 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDEBNES8. 


and  need  so  little  looking  arter,"  he  said  patron- 
izingly. 

Weza  tried  the  experiment,  and  to  her  joy  was 
allowed  to  cover  "  the  Book "  with  bi-owu  pajjcr 
and  carry  it  into  the  kitchen,  her  mistress  remark- 
ing to  her  husband,  as  she  disappeared  with  her 
treasure,  "  We  never  had  such  peaceable  creatur's 
since  we've  had  a  house ;  and  if  they  don't  go  to 
dances,  nor  drink,  nor  go  to  meetin,'  the  least  we 
can  do  is  to  wink  at  their  readin'  the  Book  a  little. 
It  can't  hurt  'em  ! " 

After  this  speech,  Mrs.  Huggins  filled  her  pipe, 
lighted  it,  and  then  settled  herself  back  into  her 
chair  "  to  rest." 

With  their  new  liberty  the  tongues  of  the  folks 
in  the  kitchen  were  loosed,  and  they  told  of  their 
early  life,  and  friends,  and  of  their  thoughts  of 
God  and  eternity.  They  sung  sacred  words,  with- 
out regard  to  metre  or  rhyme,  to  the  airs  of  old 
plantation  songs,  and  thus  lulled  their  master  to 
sleep  when  he  had  sought  his  pillow. 

When  wonders  once  begin  they  seem  never  to 
cease.  It  was  not  long  after  fV.e  arrival  of  the 
letter,  which  Dave  had  told  Obed  was  "  an  order 
for  four  pigs,"  that  the  Colonel's  Jim  rode  up  to 
the  Huggins  mansion  house  and  asked  for  the 
niissus.    That  lady  gave  orders  Uiat  he  should 


mmmsm 


A   VISION  AND  ^N  INVITATION. 


78 


id  patron- 

r  joy  was 
►wu  paper 
)s  remark- 
with  her 
>  creatur's 
)n't  go  to 
e  least  we 
9k  a  little. 

her  pipe, 
k  into  her 

f  the  folks 
d  of  their 
oughts  of 
ords,  with- 
tiirs  of  old 

master  to 

f 

1  never  to 
val  of  the 
"an  order 
I'ode  up  to 
ed  for  the 
he  should 


rido  round  to  the  end  of  the  house,  where  slie 
could  speak  to  liim  from  the  window  without  get- 
ting out  of  her  chair !  He  did  so,  and  handed  her 
a  note,  saying,  with  a  grin  of  delight  on  his  sable 
face,  »  Dere's  a  billet  my  missus  wrote  yer,  and 
she  wants  yer  to  read  it  and  tell  me  the  answer ; 
yer  needn't  stop  to  write  it,"  added  the  roguish 
boy. 

"Thank  yer,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  her  cheeks 
flushing  with  pleasure.  « Tell  her  I'll  come"  if 
Huggins  will,  and  that  I've  been  nigh  'bout  pos- 
sessed to  git  to  one  o'  them  parties  for  a  long 
time." 

"  Don't  want  yer,"  said  Jim,  gruffly. 

"  Oil,  it's  only  for  men  folks,  ha  ?  Well,  that's 
too  bad ;  but  still  I'll  let  Huggins  go,  for  the 
Colonel's  sake.  I  think  heaps  of  the  Colonel  — 
he's  such  a  gentleman,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  a 
little  crest-fallen. 

"Don't  want  Massa  Huggins,  nuther,"  replied 
Jim,  not  very  respectfully ;  "  and  we  won't  let  him 
in  if  he  comes." 

"  Well,  then,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  looking  anx- 
iously at  the  closed  note,  "tell  yer  missus  I'm 
obleeged  to  her,  but  I  couldn't  make  up  my  mind 
about  it  till  Huggins  comes  in.    Then  I'll  let  her 


J^ 


74 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


know."     So  Jim  rode  off  to  repeat  the  joke  to  his 
friends,     i-     :    _  *f v 

When  Dave  came  in  and  heard  there  was  a  note 
from  Madam  Leon,  he  called  the  brass-bowed  spec- 
tacles into  use  again,  and  read,  that  on  account 
of  the  industry  and  good  behavior  of  her  people 
during  harvest,  she  had  promised  them  a  party  in 
the  'kitchen,  and  desired  Mrs.  Huggins  to  let  her 
people,  and  especially  her  new  woman  come  to  it. 
This  was  quite  a  blow  to  Mrs.  Huggins'  aspirations 
for  high  Hfe  ;  but  the  note  directed  to  herself — the 
first  one  she  had  ever  received  in  her  life—  acted 
as  a  healing  balm  to  the  wound.  She  meekly  ac- 
cepted the  compliment  offered  through  her  ser- 
vants, and  said,  "  They  mought  as  well  go,  I  sup- 
pose ?  " 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  'bout  that,"  replied  Dave. 
"  Weza'U  get  acquainted  with  the  Colonel's  wom'en, 
and  then  there'll  be  trot,  trot,  from  one  plantation 
to  tother  all  the  time.  Weza's  easy  now  that  she's 
got  yer  Bible  and  leave  to  talk  religion  to  the  men ; 
but  she'll  see  how  the  Leon  blacks  is  dressed  up 
and  made  on,  and  she'll  get  oneasy  here  and  Ihiulc 
we  ain't  grand  enough." 

"  Well,  and  now  1  think  on't,  the  creatur'  hain't 
a  stitch  to  wear,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins ;  "  she's  wore 
out  the  t\:o  gowns  she  Ijrought  with  her,  and  I've 


M. 


■'^-^tlf-.i^-^.W- 


A   VISION   AND   AN   INVITATION. 


T6 


i.e 


to  his 


IS  a  note 
red  spec- 
account 
jr  people 
I  party  iu 

0  let  her 
ome  to  it. 
spirations 
self— the 
fe  ^ —  acted 
neekly  ac- 

1  her  ser- 
go,  I  sup- 

ilied  Dave, 
il's  women, 
plantation 
i  that  she's 
to  the  men ; 
dressed  up 
e  and  thinlc 

aatur'  hain't 
"  she's  wore 
ler,  and  I've 


been  too  tired  to  go  to  town  to  buy  any  since  she 
came.  She  will  look  like  a  beggar  side  on  the 
Leon  girls  ;  and  they'll  think  we're  too  poor  or  too 
mean  to  keep  her  decent." 

The  word  «  mean  "  touched  a  sensitive  spot  in 
Dave's  heart.  "  Yes,  yes,"  he  cried,  "  the  Colonel 
called  me  mean  once  about  that  meetin'  house, 
and  now  I'll  show  him  if  I  be !  I'll  go  to  town 
to-morrow,  and  buy  the  winter  clothes  for  the  boys, 
and  new  boots  ;  and  they  shall  go  and  look  as  good 
as  any  body's  niggers!  We  can't  buy  women's 
clothes  ready  made ;  but  yer  can  give  Weza  one  of 
yer  gowns  and  buy  yer  another,  ha  ?  " 

"  Yes,  that  I'll  do,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins ;  "  and 
I'll  put  her  in  such  trim  as  shall  make  the  Leon 
women  blush  !    Call  her  in." 

Dave  did  as  ordered,  and  when  poor  Weza  heard 
that  she  was  going  to  a  party,  she  burst  into  tears, 
and  said,  "  0,  missus,  I  thank  you,  for  I'm  power- 
ful lonesome  here,  and  will  be  so  glad  to  see  a 
woman's  face  for  once." 

"Yes,  and  I'll  dress  yer  up  right  smart  in  my 
own  clothes  that  I  wear  to  quarterly  meetin' ;  and 
I'll  let  yer  carry  my  peacock  fan  and  my  pocket 
handkercher."  Tliis  latter  article  was  a  luxury 
never  indulged  in  by  any  one  there  except  on  fes- 
tive occasions,  such  as  quarterly  meetings  and 


76 


OUT   OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 


funerals,  when  Mrs.  Huggins  appeared  out  in  the 
changcal)le  silk  in  which  she  was  married,  and  her 
snufi-eolored  crape  shawl,  embroidered  with  flowers 
iu  all  the  hues  of  nature. 

She  had  forgotten,  when  making  this  generous 
proposal,  that  her  own  wardrobe  was  reduced  t<» 
the  red  and  green  silk,  honorable  for  age,  the  one 
she  Iiad  on,  and  a  thin  pink  muslin,  somewhat 
faded  by  time  and  wear.  •  .    i 

The  next  two  days  little  was  thought  of  by  these 
grown  up  children,  who  lived  a  hermit  life,  but  the 
social  joy  before  them  in  Madam  Leon's  kitchen. 


\:. 


i'v 


;-:.^i 


i.^'.v.kip;  .1 


1 


CHAPTER  VIII.      • 

THE  PARTY  AND  THE  MAN  OF  THE  VISION. 

mHE  day  of  the  party  came,  but  alas,  the  rain 
J-  fell  heavily,  and  a  raw,  cold  air  drove  all  who 
were  not  pressed  with  outdoor  business,  round  the 
fire !    The  sable  members  of  Dave  Huggins'  fam- 
ily watched  the  clouds,  hoping  against  hope,  and 
prophesying,  against  all  signs,  that  it  was  goin'  for 
to  clear  at  noon."     Obed  remarked"  jocosely  that 
weather  made  no  diflerence  to  "  great  men  that 
always  rid  a  hossback,"  and  that  he  should  go  "  if 
de  mud  was  up  to  his  bosses'  eyes."    The  old  men 
said  they'd  never  made  any  but  stolen  visits  to  the 
Colonel's  folks,  and  that  go  they  would,  rain  or  no 
rain  !    The  youth  with  a  stiff  knee  begged  a  ride 
behind  Obed,  and  the  half-grown  boys  "  liked  rain  " 
they  said,  "  better'n  sunshine."     But  poor  Weza 
trembled    when   she   thought  of   the  long    walk 
tlirough   deep  mire   in   a  pink   muslin   and   Mrs. 
Huggins'  slippers,  twice  too  big  for  her,  tied  on 
by  a  twine  which  was  fastened  at  Uie  heel ! 

77 


'3 


^" 


Jfe  «, 


78 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDKKSESS. 


f 


Tlie  men  were  in  high  spirits*  over  their  new 
clothes  and  shoes  and  gay  cotton  neckorchiefs. 
They  felt  that  these  were  to  give  thriu  a  new 
position  in  society,  for  hitherto  they  had  been 
obliged    to   stay   at    home,   even   from    quarteily 

•.;..••.  -        ■■J 

meeting. 

As  they  sat  round  the  kitchen  fire  when  they 
should  have  l»een  at  work,  1'  .e  opened  the  door 
suddenly.  "  Come,  now,  yer  lazy  fellows,"  ho 
cried,  "  is  this  the  way  ye'rc  a  goin'  to  pay  mo 
for  thrm  splendid  clothes?  Off  to  yer  work,  or 
yer  shan't  go  a  step  to  the  dance!  Weza,  yer 
missus  wants  yer.  '       '  ' 

Mrs.  Huggins  wanted  to  say  she  thought  Weza 
"  had  better  give  up  the  visit,  as  she  mought  take 
her  death  of  rhumatiz ;  and  wors'n  that,  Mrs.  Leon 
might  think  they  were  either  poor  or  mean  or 
shiftless,  to  let  a  woman  walk  so  far  without   an 

umbrelly  in  a  summer  muslin ! " 

"0,  missus  dear,  don't  please  say  one  word 

'bout  me  not  goin',  else  I'U  either  go  crazy  or  die. 

I  must  go !  " 

'« Well,  then,  if  you  must,  you  must,  I  suppose," 

replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  too  tired  to  argue  the  point ; 

"  but  be  sure  to  tell  'em  our  best  boss  was  lame, 

and  that  our  wagon  was  to  the  wheelwright's,  and 


lit  Weza 
^ht  take 
rs.  Leon 
mean  or 
thout  an 

ne   word 
ty  or  die. 


suppose 
he  point ; 
vas  lame, 
ght's,  and 


THE   PARTY   AND  THE   MAN   OF   THE   VIRION.       79 

that  ycr  wouldn't  wear  a  thick  dresa  and  shoes  nor 
c:u  ly  an  umbrelly,  all  I  could  say  to  yer !  " 

Weza  did  not  pledge  her.sclf  to  repeat  thi»  beau- 
liliil  fiction,  but  she  was  so  afraid  Mrs.  lliiggiim 
might  get  energy  to  change  her  inind  that  she  be- 
gan her  preparations  soon  after  dinner,  resolved  to 
.slip  off  and  liide  till  the  time  came.  Toilet  accom- 
modations were  rather  saant  at  the  "  nmnsion- 
lioiise."  On  a  bench  by  the  door  stood  a  pail  of 
water  with  a  goiud  dipper  in  it,  and  against  the 
outer  wall,  secured  by  the  heads  of  four  large  nailsj 
was  a  piece  of  looking-glass  to  accommodate  such 
of  the  family  as  regarded  personal  appearance. 
One  of  the  blacks  accommodated  another  by  pour- 
ing out  water  from  the  gourd,  wliicli  was  caught  up 
and  thrown  over  the  face  and  bands.  Tliia  was 
called  "  washing,"  on  Huggins'  plantation. 

A  difficulty  now  presented  itself  in  the  way  of 
I)oor  Weza.  There  was  no  white  skirt  to  wear 
under  the  thin  pink  muslin;  but  that  was  a  trifle 
compared  to  stayirtg  at  homo  wlien  her  heart  was 
nr,'.;.,'!!  to  speak  to  some  woman.  So  she  arrayed 
lit'iit-  f  as  best  she  could,  in  the  dress  which  was 
i '  t!  j  big  for  Ijer  and  in  which  she  had  taken  a 
di^  tuck  with  green  thread,  the  only  available 
C'...jr.  She  saw  the  blue  linsey  skirt  through  the 
thin    fabric,   and  whispered    to    lierself,  "  What 


J^ 


80 


OUT  OF  THE  WTLOEBNESS. 


would  my  old  missus  say  to  see  me  lookin'  dis 
way  !  But  I'm  bound  to  go !  I  feel  like  I'll  hear 
somethin'  'bout  my  boys,  or  somebody  !  I  feel 
like  I  was  goin'  to  a  preachin'  more'n  to  a  dance  ; 
like  I  was  goin'  to  meet  Jesus,  'stead  of  poor,  tired 
creaturs  like  myself,  tryin'  to  kivcr  up  dere  sor- 
sowr  wid  nonsense  ;  I  feel  like  dis  is  goin'  to  be  a 
mighty  night  in  my  life !  " 

She  had  no  reason  to  hide  till  the  hour  of  the 
party,  for  Mrs.  Huggins  called  her  in,  and  after 
surveying  her  a  moment,  said,  "  Yer  look  mighty 
nice — all  but  yer  dark  petticoat;  and  yer  as 
pretty  a  little  woman  as  any  lady  can  send  there 
to-night.  I've  been  up-stairs  to  a  chist  I  haint 
opened  this  three  year  and  found  this  here  green 
scarf  and  blue  bow  of  ribbon  for  yer!  And  if 
yer'll  open  that  drawer  yer'll  find  the  handker- 
cher  "  — the  Huggins  pocket  handkerchief — "  and 
the  feather  fan.  And  I  do  believe,"  she*  added, 
with  more  kindness  than  truth,  "the  rain  has 
settled  into  a  drizzle,  and  that  aint  nothin'  to 
mind!"  It  was  still  pouring  in  torrents  and  the 
mud  was  ankle  deep.  "  Now,"  said  she,  "  that  I 
think  c  I't  it,  I  do  believe  there's  an  arabrelly  in  a 
corner  I  ehind  the  old  loom,  among  a  heap  of  trash 
the  last  master  left  here.  Go  up  and  hunt  it." 
Sure  enough,  that  garret  supplied  an  umbrella, 


''n 


.^^-.^^■.i;..-^.-„-<:.4r..».' 


thf;  PAiiTY  ak;   the  man  of  the  vision.     81 


»okin'  dla 
I  I'll  hear 
!  I  feel 
a  dance ; 
)Oor,  tired 
dere  ser- 
in' to  be  a 

aur  of  the 
and  after 
ok  mighty 
d  yer    as 
lend  there 
it  I  haint 
here  green 
!    And  if 
)  handker- 
ef_"and 
the*  added, 
I  rain  has 
nothiu'   to 
bs  and  the 
e,  "  that  I 
ibrelly  in  a 
ip  of  trash 
mt  it." 
umbrella, 


half  of  which  was  sound,  so  that  with  a  pair  of 
men's  boots,  which  Weza  drew  on  over  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins'  slippers,  she  was  equipped  for  the  walk  when 
she  made  her  appearance  down  stairs. 

"  Now  remember  every  thing  yer  hear,  to  tell 
me,"  said  her  mistress.  "  Yer'U  set)  madam,  for 
she's  among  her  people,  mostly,  when  any  thing's 
goin'  on.  She's  always  on  hand  to  the  buryiu's 
and  the  marryin's  ;  and  she  looks  after  'em  when 
they're  sick  and  old-,  like  she  was  only  a  nigger 
herself,  and  no  big  lady.  She'll  speak  to  yer,  no 
doubt,  for  she's  civil  to  everybody's  blacks ;  and 
she  mought  ax  for  me.  If  she  does,  tell  her  I'm  a 
real  lady,  that  I  don't  turn  my  hand  to  work  but 
sit  still  in  a  cheer,  mostly.  Tell  her  I  don't  need 
to  work ;  the  master's  got  so  well  off —  got  such 
heaps  of  pine  wood  to  sell  yet  oiF  his  land ;  and  tell 
her,  too,  how't  I  give  yer  a  Bible  to  read  in  the 
kitchen,  'cause  I  was  so  beset  to  have  yer  all 
religious !  If  she  offers  to  come  over  to  see  me, 
seeiu'  I'm  weak  in  the  jints,  make  her  set  a  day, 
so  we  can  have  the  place  cleaned  up  first  and  be 
ready  for  her." 

Both  Mr.  and.  Mrs.  Huggins  weat  to  the  door  to 
look  after  the  little  brown  woman,  as  with  the  two 
boys  she  set  off,  one  half  of  her  umljrella  flapping 
against  the  side  of  her  head  at  every  step. 


ai,iii]^ju 


tmmBmsi 


I 


82 


OUT   OP  THE  WILDEUNESS. 


The  other  members  of  the  family  had  preceded 
them.  "  Now  look  out  ypr  dun't  make  no  'quaint- 
ances,"  Huggina  called  after  her.  "  Dou't  ax  a 
livin'  crcatur'  to  call  here.  Well,  that's  sarchin' 
after  pleasure,  ha,"  he  said  to  his  wife,  as  he  saw 
the  trio  plodding  through  the  mud  ;  but  I'm  afeared 
that  ain't  the  worst  ou't !  We'll  hear  of  the  roast 
pig  and  the  cliicken  pie  and  the  fancy  trashes 
madam  will  give  'em,  for  the  rest  of  our  lives! 
and  I'll  bet  my  head,  afore  she  lets  'em  off,  siie'U 
give  'em  all  a  trainin'  in  religion,  —she's  so  awful 
bigoted ! " 

"Well,  I  do  say,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  "that 
if  I  had  a  married  the  Colonel  when  I  was  a  gal, 
and  was  missus  of  all  his  fine  things  now,  I 
wouldn't  come  down  so  low  as  to  teach  niggers 
every  Sunday  night  in  my  kitclien  ;  not  I !  " 

"  Me  neither  !  "  cried  Iluggins.  "  If  I  was  so 
bigoted  that  I  would  have  'em  laru  religion,  why 
I'd  hire  one  of  them  low  bred,  ignorant  Yankees, 
Ihat  has  to  do  it  for  a  livin',  to  come  down  a  pur- 
pose !  It's  their  business,  and  I  soy  let  every  man 
stick  to  his  own  trade  !  I'm  amazed  at  the  Colonel 
for  a  sulferin'  her  to  do  it !  I'm  too  high  sperited 
to  let  yer  larn  niggers !  "  and  ho  cast  a  look  of 
mingled  pride  and  tenderness  at  his  wife,  who  ao- 


THE  PAnTY   AND  THE   MAN   OP  THE   VISION.       83 


preceded 
0  'quaiut- 
m't  ax  a 
t  sarchin' 
IS  he  saw 
in  afeared 
the  roast 
jy  trashes 
our  hves! 
off,  she'll 
)  80  awful 

ns,  "that 
vas  a  gal, 
;8  now,  I 
jh  niggers 
!" 

f  I  was  so 
igion,  why 
k  Yankees, 
own  a  pur- 
every  man 
the  Colonel 
a;h  speritcd 
a  look  of 
ifc,  who  ao- 


khowledgcd  liis  coinjtliment  with  a  capacious  smile, 
taking  care  it  didn't  endanger  her  pipe. 

"  That's  so,  Huggins  ;  I  hold  to  evcryhody  keep- 
in'  his  own  place ;  and  I  say  the  place  of  ladies 
that  lives  in  mansion  houses  and  whose  husbands 
own  acres  and  acres  of  pine  land,  is  to  sit  still  in 
Ihclr  cheers,  mostly.  A  lady  mought  as  well  be 
poor  and  have  to  arn  her  bread  as  to  be  always  a 
worryin'  about  cuttin'  out  clothes  and  a  mixin 
physic  and  larnin'  religion  to  the  people !  " 

"  I  tell  yer  what  I  (hink  madam  is  up  to,"  said 
Dave ;  "she's  sot  out  to  git  a  high  seat  in  heaven. 
Them  Leons  was  always  bound  to  be  on  the  top 
o'  the  hea[>  wherever  they  be  !  "  '    • 

"  Yes,  may  be,"  'said  Mrs.  Huggiiw,  taking  out 
her  pipe  to  fill  it ;  "  but  I  beUeve  what  I  once 
heerd  a  minister  say,  that  every  one  has  got  to 
look  out  after  his  own  individual  soul ;  so  I  needn't 
look  after  our  black  people's  souls  —  supposin' 
they've  got  souls.  But  I'm  amazed  at  the  Colonel, 
that  he  don't  put  a  stop  to  her  doin't   ' 

"Pho!  the  Colonel!"  cried  Dave;  "he's  the 
easiest  creatur'  that  ever  lived.  She's  got  the 
upper  haiid  of  him,  mostly.  They  do  say  there 
u'.n't  a  liviu'  thing  goes  on  over  that  great  plantu-, 
lion  that  she  don't  poke  her  finger  into.  If  there's 
a  row  'tween  the ,  overseer  and  the  field  hands  she 


IHK 


84 


OUT   OP  THE   WILDEONKSS. 


holds  court  and  hears  for  and  agin,  and  gives  sen- 
tence like  a  judge.  That's  why  Blaters  was  driv' 
off.  She  took  sides  with  the  people  and  said  he 
was  rough  and  overworked  'em,  and  he  had  to 
walk  back  to  Obi'  quicker'n  ho  come  down.  Let 
the  old  Colonel  enjoy  his  company  and  go  huntin' 
and  fixiu'  up  meetin'-houses  and  tendin'  'lections 
and  readin'  books,  yer  may  do  'l)out  as  yer  like 
with  him.  The  wonder  is  that  the  plantation 
hasn't  turned  itself  upside  down,  or  run  off 
som'ers." 

"  It  seems  to  stand,  though,  and  things  do  look 
fine  there,  for  all,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  with  a 
sigh,  as  she  thought  of  the  contrast  between  "the 
easy  Colonel's"  plantation  and  her  '-high  spirited" 
husband's. 

The  two  boys  and  Weza,  after  awhile,  conquered 
the  mud,  and  in  n  very  moist  state  reached  the 
Colonel's  plantation.  As  they  approached  the 
large  kitchen,  which  was  now  brilliantly  lighted  by 
j)ine  knots,  ihey  heard  the  buzzing  of  voices  and 
the  peals*  of  lauglner.  Then  Weza's  heart  failed 
her,  and  fearing  to  face  the  very  people  she  had  so 
longed  to  see,  she  drew  back  to  hide  herself  be- 
hind the  boyt:,  and  said,  "  I's  feared  to  go  in  ;  I'll 
have  to  go  back  again,  I's  so  bashful  of  strange 
folks."     Jusv  then  a  very  jUreat   and  very  black 


THE  PARTY   AND  THE  MAN   OF   TUE   VISION.       85 


ves  sell- 
as  driv' 
said  he 
bad  to 
rn.     Let 
I  huntiu' 
'lections 
yer  like 
lantation 
run    off 

s  do  look 
18,  with  a 
the 
rited'» 


een 


8pi 


jonqucred 
iched  the 

• 

iched  the 
lighted  by 
voices  and 
eart  failed 
she  had  so 
herself  be- 
go  in  ;  I'll 
of  strange 
very  black 


man,  with  arms  <ull  of  pine  knots,  crossed  their 
path. 

"Hilloo,  dere,  Job  and  Dick,  dat  yer?  And 
dis  is  the  little  new  woman,  ha,  dat  don't  know 
nobody  to  speak  to  ?  Dat's  a  mighty  shame,  now ! 
All  human  creatur's  is  human  and  wants  company. 
I  told  missus  what  Obed  said  'bout  yer  a  lovin'  of 
the  Lord,  and  a  livin'  the  life  of  a  hermigo  there ; 
and  she  said  yer  should  come  to-night,  for  she'd 
write  a  letter  about  it !  Glad  to  see  yer,  sister ; 
and  our  women  be  glad  too.  Dey're  in  a  right  big 
hurry  to  welcome  yer.  Here,  Dick,  car'  in  my 
pine  knots  and  I'll  show  her  up  to  de  folks 
inside."  < 

He  gave  the  trembling  little  woman  a  grasp 
of  his  great  hand  as  if  he  was  an  officer  of  justice 
arreating  her,  and  quickened  her  steps  not  a  little. 

"  Why,  yer's  drenched  !  "  he  said.  «  Couldn't 
Massa  lliiggins  lend  yer  one  of  his  disjint^d 
bosses  to  ride  over  ?  " 

"  I  never  rid  a  boss,  brother,  and  would  be 
skeart  to  try,"  replied  the  little  woman.  »  'Sides, 
the  bosses  are  sort  of  used  up  or  something, 
and  —  " 

"Ha,  ba,  ba!"  burst  forth  and  echoed  again 
from  the  powerful  lungs  of  her  new  friend.     Every 


I  HI      i.«f* 


Jtk. 


86 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


thing  down  dere's  iiscd  up  or  sometliin',  I  guess, 
as  well  as  the  hosses,  ha  ?  " 

"  Dcy  was  very  kind  to  me,  brother,"  said 
Wcza ;  "  lettin'  me  oif  peaceable  and  willin'." 

"  Ha,  ha,  ha !  Dey  hadn't  spefit  enough  in  'em 
to  forbid  yer,  ha  ?  " 

Weza  looked  up  in  the  big  man's  face  with 
surprise,  and  asked,  just  as  they  reached  the  door, 
"  Has  I  ever  seen  /er  afore  and  heerd  yer  voice, 
brother?"  '  "  .  •     »  '•  •      '        --j/^n-i. 

Zack  —  for  it  was  no  other  than  our  old  friend 
from  down  river  —  replied,  with  a  patronizing 
smile,  "  No,  little  woman,  yer  hain't  never  seen 
nor  heerd  me  before,  but  may  be  yer've  seen  some 
ugly  great  fellow  dat  looked  like  me,  though." 

Several  matronly  women,  with  or  without  babies 
in  their  arms,  now  came  to  the  door  with  a  cheery 
welcome  to  the  stranger. 

The  great  kitchou  presented  a  picture  that 
almost  dazzled  Wcza.  It  was  lighted  most  glori- 
ously with  a  pitch-pine  fire,  while  women  in  bright 
gowns  and  turbans  bustled  round,  cooking,  laying 
tables,  cutting  bread,  chatting  and  laughing.  The 
men  were  scatcid  on  benches,  barrels  and  chairs 
ranged  close  to  the  wall,  and  ordered  by  the  busy 
Women  to  "  stay  dero."  Children  crept  about  the 
floor  or  sat  in  the  laps  of  the  guests,  while  two 


THE  PARTY  AND  THE  MAN  OP  THE  VISION.       87 


I  guess, 


r,' 


said 


a'." 

rh  in  'em 

race  with 
the  door, 
yer  voice, 

old  fri(yid 
atrouizing 
ever  seen 
seen  some 
,gh." 
lOut  babies 
h  a  cheery 

jture  that 
most  glori- 
n  in  bright 
ing,  laying 
liing.  The 
and  chairs 
)y  the  busy 
t  about  the 
while  two 


incn  seetaed  to  be  constantly  piling  on  wood  to 
keep  up  the  liglit. 

"  Here,  here,  sisters,  clar  do  track  from  dat  fire, 

and  let  dis  little  brown  woman  dat's  come  through 

de  rain  to  see  us  have  a  chance  to  dry  her  clothes  ! 

Deie,  yer  tend  to   her.  Mammy  Cle'patry,  hke  a 

•kind  mother  as  yer  is  to  us  all ! "  critd  Zack. 

A  wizened  little  black  woman,  who  seemed  ex- 
empt from  the  toil  of  the  occasion,  came  up  and 
grasping  her  hand,  said,  in  an  earnest  tofie,  "'Do 
Lord  bless  yer,  and  cauf  e  do  light  of  his  face  to 
shine  upon  yer,  dear.  We've  heard  'bout  yer 
prayers  dat  yer  might  be  brung  out. of  dis  wilder- 
ness,  and  we  has  jined  in  de  prayers  for  yer ! " 

"  Whar  did  ever  yer  hear  of  me,  sister  ? "  asked 
Weza,  in  a  low  tone,  as  she  gave  the  old  cloak  and 
the  boots  to  Cleopatra. 

"  Why,  from  Obed,  sure.  Whar  else  does  any 
black  folks  get  news?  He  and  dat  old  boss  o' 
his'n  travels  regl'ar  'bout  dis  country,  carryin' 
new8  as  well  as  water ;  and  dere  isn't  much  goes 
on  for  twenty  miles  dat  he  don't  keep  de  run  on, 
though  he's  mighty  sly  fear  he'll  he  slmt  off  from 
goin'  to  de  spring !  "  All  the  party  laughed  heart- 
ily, and  Obed  laughed  too ;  when  the  old  woman 
said  kindly,  "  Dis  here  comin'  to  us  is  one  step  out 
of  de  wild'ness,  dear,  and  when  de  Lord  once 


88 


OUT   OF  THE   WILDEBNES8. 


i  ■ 


takes  hold  of  a  poor  child's  hand,  he  never  lets  go ! 
It'  ycr've  took  one  step  yer'U  take  another  and 
another,  till  yer  get  clear  out  of  de  wild'ness  to  do 
high  plain  whar  yer  get  a  view  of  de  city  whose 
maker  and  huilder  is  God !  Bimeby  yer'll  get  clar 
up  onto  Mount  Zion  ;  and  den  yer'll  shout  and 
sing  praises  dat  ever  yer  was  led  into  de  wilde'ness 
'stead  of  bcin'  left  on  do  plain  of  Sodom  to  tavn 
into  a  piller  of  salt  or  a  stone,  as  some  has,  and 
iiev'er  sec  de  heavenly  land  !  " 

"  Dat's  so ;  yes,  yes ! "  cried  Zack,  "  we  must 
praise  de  Lord  for  de  bitter  physic  as  well  as  for 
de  sweet  honey  from  de  comb !  " 

The  sorrows  of  the  wilderness  began  to  press 
heavily  on  the  poor  woman's  heart  when  she  saw 
happy  little  boys  hanging  round  their  mothers, 
while  she  stood  by  the  fire  to  dry  the  thin  muslin 
dress  that  hung  limp  and  wet  about  her. 

Ere  long  the  table  was  ready.  At  each  corner 
was  an  immense  pumpkin,  holding  a  lighted  pine 
knot,  which  cast  a  wild  light  over  the  merry  scene. 
The  centre  of  the  table  was  occupied  by  a  standing 
pig  roasted  to  a  rich  brown,  and  holding  in  his 
mouth  a  bunch  of  gay  autumn  flowers,  as  if  in 
mockery  of  his  martyrdom.  On  each  side  of  him 
stood  a  plump  chicken  pie,  gayly  decorated  also. 
Four  large  wash-basins,  lent  by  madam,  w^re  filled 


THE   PARTY   AND   THE   BIAN   OP   THE   VISION.      89 


with  sweet  potatoes,  tomato-sauce,  squash  and 
onions,  while  pies  and  cakes  towered  up  in  (he  in- 
termediate spaces.  The  chairs,  tubs  and  benches 
were  now  drawn  up  and  all  took  their  seats,  when 
one  of  the  women,  the  bustling  heroine  of  the  oc- 
casion, called  out,  "Brother  Zack,  d'llver  de 
blessiu' !  " 

'.'No,  Chrissy,"  said  Zack;  "here's  Mammy 
Cloe,  dat's  been  talkin'  to  de  Lord  'fore  I  was 
borned,  and  has  got  more  favor  wid  him  by  half 
den  1  has.     Ax  de  blessiu',  mammy." 

Cleopatra  raised  her  withered  face,  extended  her 
arms,  and  then  cried  out,  in  a  solemn  voice,  for  the 
help  of  Heaven  here  and  "  free  seats  bimcby  at  de 
right  hand  of  God  close  by  Jesus,  who  ain't  no 
"  spector  of  persons!"  All  cried  "  Amen  "  to  this 
prayer.  Thoi  men  then  struck  into  the  pig  and 
chicken  pie  with  tremendous  energy,  dividing  them 
both  with  generosity  and  justice,  and  the  supper 
vanished  in  a  way  that  was  perfectly  marvellous. 

When  all  had  been  cleared  away,  a  young  man 
with  a  very  old  fiddle  was  brought  forward,  and 
the  master  of  ceremonies  cried  out,  "  Now  all  de 
young  folks  squar'  off  for  a  dance." 

Several  rose  to  their  feet,  but  every  eye  was 
turned  on  Mammy  Cloe,  when  she  gave  utterance 
to  a  deep  groan.    Some  of  the  young  girls  scowled 


w^ 


00 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDEBNKSS. 


at  her,  but  Zack,  who  Hecmcd  a  sort  of  king  there, 
called  out,  "  Speak,  mammy.  If  de  Lord  has  gin 
yer  a  word  for  us,  pass  it  along." 

*'  He  has  gin  me  a  message  to  ye,  chil'en,  and  it 
is  shut  up  like  a  fire  'uiong  my  bones  till  I  delivers 
it  out.  De  Word  of  de  Lord  tells  dat  dere  is  a 
time  for  to  mourn,  and  a  time  for  to  dance.  Dis 
is  de  time  to  mourn  over  our  sins  and  over  de  sins 
of  dis  great  and  moughty  nation  o'  people,  and  to 
humble  ourselves,  if  mought  be  de  Lord  would  turn 
away  his  anger  from  us. 

"  When  de  Is'lites  made  a  calf  and  worshipped 
it,  dey  danced  'bout  it ;  and  trouble  followed. 
Old  Herod,  he  sot  his  niece  to  danctn',  and  dat  led 
to  mischief  enough,  for  it  cost  our  dear  forefather 
— John  de  Baptist  —  his  head*!  So  Baptises  is  de 
last  lot  o'  Christians  dat  ought  to  smile  on  dancin'. 
Now  de  Scriptur'  do  saith,  '  Our  dance  shall  be 
turned  into  mournin'.'  I  go  for  dancin'  like  King 
David  danced  —  afore  de  Lord,  to  show  hrs  joy  in 
him.  But  dere's  a  moughty  difference  'tween  de 
Lord's  and  de  devil's  dance.  If  ye'U  shout  and 
sing  of  de  mercies  of  de  Lord,  and  dance  for  his 
glory,  I'll  dance  too,  old  as  1  is." 

"  Whist,  now,  and  listen  to  me,"  cried  Zack, 
in  tones  that  almost  shook  the  rafters.  "  Le's 
have  a  vote  took  how  we'll  muse  ourselves  dis 


^.^-y.&. 


THE  PARTY  AND  THE  MAN  OP  THE  VISION.   91 


iing  there, 
rd  has  gin 

I'eu,  aud  it 
I  I  delivers 
dere  ia  a 
ance.  Dis 
ver  de  sins 
pie,  and  to 
would  turn 

ivorshipped 

s  followed. 

,nd  dat  led 

•  forefather 

)ti8e8  is  de 

on  dancin'. 

;e  shall  be 

like  King 

his  joy  in 

'tween  de 

shout  and 

ace  for  his 

2ried  Zack, 
irs.  "  Le's 
i^-selves  dis 


night.  Den  de  majority  shall  nlln.  But  if  de 
majority  grumbles,  den  let  'eui  go  into  Jo  new 
corn-house  ami  'muse  dcmselves  like  dey're  a 
mini  to  ;  for  how  can  two  walk  together  'cept  dcy 
be  agreed  ?     • 

"Yer  dat  goes  in  for  de  fiddle  and  de  dance, 
hold  up  yer  right  arm  —  only  a  little  way  up." 

Half  a  dozen  small  arms  and  j,  few  large  ones 
went  up,  rather  irresolutely. 

"Now,  den,  yer  dat  goes  for  sensibler  'muse- 
mcnts,  yer  dat's  got  good  minds  and  common 
sense,  yer  dat  would  like  talkin',  and  singin'  and 
tellin'  'speriences,  hold  up  your  right  arms  and' 
hold  em  mighty  high,"  cried  Zack,  showing  in  a 
most  unparliamentary  manner  which  side  he,  the 
self-appointod  moderator,  was  on.  "  Now  up  wid 
yer  arms  like  good  Christians  I "  Up  went  every 
arm  very  high,  even  those  which  had  just  been 
raised  on  the  other  side  of  the  question  ! 

The  sleeping  children  were  now  carried  off,  and 
the  middle  of  the  floor  was  cleared.  A  table,  a 
Bible  and  a  Psalm  book  were  borrowed  from 
"  missus  ;  "  and  Zack,  the  only  man  present  who 
could  read  fluently,  was  seated  by  them  on  a  barrel 
cushioned  with  the  guests'  shawls.  He  read,  as 
he  always  did  whenever  he  opened  his  own  little 
Bible,  the  account  of  the  Israelites  crossing  the 


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92 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Red  Sea,  and  of  Pharaoh's  fate.  "  See,uo\v,"  he 
added,  by  way  of  comment,  "  if  he  didn't  get  come 
up  wid  handsome  for  oppressin'  of  de  Lord's 
people.  Mind  yer,  now,  I  don't  say  a  word  about 
dese  times  nor  de  Pharaoh  dat  lives  now.  It's 
about  de  dead  one,  and  it's  alius  safe  talkin'  agiu 
him,  for  he's  gone  wid  his  hossmen  and  his 
chariots  and  can't  chase  us  if  he  wants  to,  so  we'll 
give  him  his  dues  and  take  warnin'  ourselves 
how  we  dare  to  fight  agin  God  and  his  people. 
Friends,  dere's  no  work  in  dis  world  dat  pays  so 
poor  as  dat,  'cause  we  loses  all  our  time,  and  is 
sure  to  come  off  beat  in  de  end.  My  dear  mammy 
died  on  her  knees  while  she  was  at  prayer,  a  axin' 
de  Lord,  no  doubt,  to  do  his  own  will  wid  her,  — 
and  he  done  it.  She  wae  a  prophet,  and  she  fore- 
telled  dat  de  Lord  was  a  comin'  down  from  heaven 
wid  a  heap  of  angels,  and  wid  de  sound  of  a 
trumpet,  to  shake  dis  arth  to  its  foundations  byme- 
by,  and  dat  den  we  —  all  dat's  in  trouble  and  sor- 
row, yor  know  —  would  be  brung  out  of  de  wild' 
ness  wid  signs  and  wonders  and  plagues  like 
Pharaoh  had  onto  him.  De  last  words  she  said  to 
me  was. '  De  great  and  terrible  day  of  de  Lord  is 
at  hand.  Don't  yer  run  out  of  de  wild'ness,  like  a 
coward  or  a  thief,  but  stand  still  and  wait  for  de 
salvation  of  do  Lord.'    And  so  I  will,  Lord  help 


iiiMti^'-' 


!,uo\7,"  he 
't  get  come 

de  Lord's 
irord  about 

now.    It's 
talkin'  agiu 
n  and   his 
to,  so  we'll 
'    rurselves 
his  people, 
iat  pays  so 
ime,  and  is 
ear  mammy 
yer,  a  axiu' 
wid  her,  — 
id  she  fore- 
from  heaven 
sound  of  a 
itions  byme- 
ble  and  sor- 

of  de  wild' 
)lagues  like 
)  she  said  to 
f  de  Lord  is 
I'ness,  like  a 
[  wait  for  de 
1,  Lord  help 


THn  PAUTY  AND  THE  MAN  OP  THE  tlSION.   93 

!ue.  When  dat  day  comes,  if  dere's  one  of  you 
dat  wants  a  strong  arm  and  a  big  fist  to  help  yer 
out,  call  on  me,  for,  thank  de  Lord,  he's  gin  me 
both,  'sides  a  lovin'  heart  and  a  good  temper,  if  I 
do  say  it  myself." 

Zack's  speech  was  well  received  and  frequentl7 
applauded.  It  was  an  honor  to  listen  to  him, 
standing  as  he  did  in  a  mysterious  relation  to 
Massa  Leon,  and  being,  as  he  was,  well  supplied 
from  some  unknown  source  with  clothes,  pocket 
money  and  jack-knives,  and  always  at  the  head 
of  some  work  and  showing  little  regard  for  the 
overseer's  authority.  Had  Zack  not  been  a  good 
man,  he  would  have  been  a  very  dangerous  one  on 
the  estate.  When  he  ended  his  talk,  they  all  sang 
to  a  lively  tune, 

"  We'll  join  de  army  of  de  Lord, 
And  fight  for  yunder  crown." 

Tlien  the  old  saint  Cleo  told  her  "sperience," 
which  of  itself  would  make  a-  book  and  teach 
heavenly  wisdom  to  the  wise  of  this  world. 
Another  and  another  related  the  story  of  his  life, 
each  one  acknowledging  God's  hand  in  leading 
him  through  the  wilderness,  and  expressing  a  firm 
hope  that  he  would  lead  him  out  of  it  and  up  to 
glory.    There  were  songs  of  praise  and  pleasant 


^.^uiailiM^ 


9i 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDEBNES8. 


p. 


tales  of  other  days,  and  words  of  hope  for  time  to 
come ;  and,  mingled  with  all  these,  was  sucii 
laughter  as  might  have  led  one  who  did  not  know 
their  hearts  to  say  there  were  neithei  "  thorns  nor 
nails  "in  their  lot. 

During  the  evening  Madam  Leon  came  in  to  say 
a  pleasant  word  to  them.  In  her  arms  she  bore 
a  load  of  bundles  containing  a  new  dress  for  each 
woman,  hostess  and  guest.  To  the  men  she  gave 
jack-knives  and  gay  cravats,  saying  that  she  knew 
they  would  rather  have  them  than  garments.  She 
asked  the  strangers  about  their  masters'  families, 
and  sent  a  message  that  she  was  going  to  open  her 
Sunday  evening  school  to  all  the  colored  people 
around,  and  hoped  they  would  be  allowed  to  come 
and  learn  about  Jesus.  She  said,  "  I'm  your 
friend,  and  I  want  to  do  your  souls  good.  I  waiit 
you  to  be  happy  here,  and  I  want  you  all  to  live 
with  me  in  heaven."  After  saying  a  few  words 
of  sympathy  to  Weza,  of  whose  troubles  she  had 
heard,  she  shook  hands  with  each  one  and  then 
loft  them  to  their  enjoyment. 

"  She's  a  woman  to  be  worshipped  if  any  on  'em 
is,"  said  Zack,  as  she  passed  out.  "  I'm  de  man 
dat  cat)  tell  a  saint  when  I  sees  one,  'case  I've  seen 
BO  much  of  dc  tothcr  kind.  I  believe  do  Lord  o' 
glory  loves  dis  one,  and  is  fast  a  fittin'  her  for  do 


THE  PABTY  MAD  THE   MAN  OP  THE   VISION.       96 


ir  time  to 

was     BUCii 

not  know 
;horns  nor 

5  in  to  say 
I  she  bore 
s  for  each 
I  she  gave 

she  knew 
jnts.  She 
}'  families, 
0  open  her 
red  people 
d  to  come 

I'm  your 
i.  I  wOiit 
all  to  live 
few  words 
!s  she  had 
)  and  then 

any  on  'em 
m  de  man 
e  I've  seen 
io  Lord  o' 
her  for  do 


kingdom.  'Pears  like  1  must  go  down  on  my 
knees  afore  her  when  I  goes  whar  she  is.  If  she 
was  a  Catholic  she'd  been  called  a  whole  saint  'fore 
dis  time." 

Although  the  dance  had  naturally  turned  into  ' 
"  'sperience  meetin',"  when  they  separated,  long 
after  midnight,  all  were  perfectly  satiefied  with 
the  entertainment. 

When  Weza  was  getting  ready  to  go  Zack  asked, 
"  Mought  I  hilp  yer  through  de  mud,  little  brown 
woman?"- 

Weza  told  him  she  had  "  her  own  folks  along," 

■but  he  cried,  "  Pho,  what's  three  old  uien,  and 

two  cripples,  and  a  couple  o'  half  growed  slips 

to  get  a  poor  weak  woman  through  dis  mire  ?    I's 

goin'  any  how,  to  take  keer  on  yer !  " 

And  he  did  go :  and  during  the  walk  the  inno- 
cent Weza  told  him  that  the  shepherd  in  her 
vision  was  just  like  him,  and  that  he  had  a  gold 
chain  to  bind  him  to  the  great  Maasa  that  loved 
him ;  and  he  was  pointed  out  as  the  one  to  help 
her  out  of  the  wilderness  and  up  to  glory. 

"  Well,  den,  I'll  do  dat,  so  please  de  Lord ! ' 
cried  Zack,  "  for  ye're  only  a  poor  weak  woman, 
and  does  sure  lieed  some  stout  arm  to  lean  agin. 
I'll  keep  my  eye  on  yer,  though." 


96 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


And  he  fulfilled  his  promise  iii  a  way  that  made 
Dave  Huggins  lament  bitterly  that  he  had  allowed 
Weza  to  go  to  that  party  at  the  Goloael's. 


.vi.! 


iiat  made 
d  allowed 


CHAPTER  IX. 


AN  UNWELCOME  GUEST. 


IT'S  juBt  as  I  told  yer,  old  woman,"  cried  Dave 
Huggins,  as  angry  as  he  had  energy  to  be; 
"  look  out  o'  that  *are  window  by  yer,  and  see  if  I 
aint  a  true  prophet." 

Mrs.  Huggins  did  look  out,  and  there,  with  a 
stout  set  of  cedar  bars  between  them,  stood  Zach 
and  Weza  talking  together. 

"  Mighty  fine  work  this,"  exclaimed  Dave,  "  for 
two  Christians,  a  breakin'  of  the  Sabbath  this 
way,  beside  the  twelve  commandments  into  the 
bargain,  which  says, '  Sarvants  'bey  yer  masters  in 
all  things,  which  same  is  well  pleasin'  unto  the 
Lord.'  I  larnt  that  forty  years  ago  of  my  p-and- 
rnother ;  and  see  how  I  remembered  it  so's  to  do 
my  duty  by  my  sarvants.  That  sly  little  woman's 
been  a  doceivin'  of  us  all  this  time,  'pearin'  to 
care  notliin'  for  company,  nor  nothin'  but  her  two 
boys  and  'ligion.      Didn't  I  tell  her  not  to  make 

•T  . 


hMI 


98 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNBSS. 


oiio  'quaintancc  to  the  party,  and  never  to  let  rae 
catch  any  of  them  Leon  blacks  over  here,  or  I'd 
fetch  out  my  gun  ?  And  now  here's  that  great 
fellow  that  don't  seemed  to  be  owned  by  nobody, 
big  enough  and  black  enough  to  be  a  Guinea  pirate, 
a  prowlin'  about,  and  a  plottin*  of  my  life,  for  all 
I  knows." 

»<  Mought  be  he  come  of  his  own  'cord,  without 
her  axin'  of  him  at  all,''  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  "  and 
then  'taint  no  fault  o'  her'n.  She's  a  mighty  nice 
little  woman  any  how,  and  powerful  feelin'  and 
tender  of  weak  folks.  Ye  mought  throw  a  few 
stones  at  him,  but  look  out  and  not  hurt  my  little- 
woman,"  added  the  philanthropic  lady. 

Huggins  drew  his  chair  up  to  his  wife's,  and 
whispered,  "  I  wouldn't  throw  a  stone  nor  even  a 
liash  word  at  that  fellow  for  the  valley  of  the 
whole  plantation,  —  for  betwixt  us^  I'll  confess  that 
I'm  feared  on  him.  He's  the  proudest,  pompous- 
est,  boldest  creatur'  I  ever  laid  eyes  on  with  the 
name  of  a  slave  ;  and  I  only  wonder  he  hasn't  riz 
and  murdered  all  the  Leons  at  night.  He  will  do 
it  yet.  T'other  day  I  met  him  a  haulin'  fence  rails, 
and  I  axed  him  a  passin'  if  he  thought  it  was  four 
o'clock.  And  what  does  he  do  but  out  with  a 
great  silver  watch  as  big  as  my  fist — just  like  he 
was  1  rich  planter  —  and  shame  me  by  tellin'  me. 


AN  UNWELCOME  GUEST. 


90 


re,  or 
that  great 
by  nobody, 
inca  pirate, 
life,  for  all 

ord,  without 
ggifls,  "  and 
mighty  nice 
I  feelin'   and 
throw  a  few 
hurt  my  littlo- 

^y-  A 

As  wife's,  and 
ne  nor  even  a 
valley  of  the 
confess  tbat 

idest,  pompous- 
011  with  the 
he  hasn't  riz 
He  will  do 
[ulin'  fence  rails, 
ight  it  was  four 
out  with  a 
just  like  he 
by  tellin'  me- 


the  time.  If  I  live  to  go  down  river  I'll  buy  a 
wntch,  I  will,  as  big  as  that  one  ;  for  mine's  been 
good  as  dead  this  five  year." 

"Obed  says,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  "that  he 
'blongs  to  a  mighty  rich  young  man  down  river, 
that  wanted  to  get  rid  on  him  for  some  reason  or 
nother  and  darsen't  sell  him.  He  sent  him  up 
here  for  safe  keepin*." 

"  Feared  of  his  life,  I'll  warrant,"  said  Dave. 

"  Darsen't  keep  him,  and  darsen't  sell  him ;  so 
he  turned  our  place  into  a  pintintiary  and  sent 
him  up  here  for  his  own  safety.  He'll  git  up  an 
insurraction  hero,  and  we'll  all  be  murdered,  else 
lose  our  black  folks,  some  night." 

"  He  seeras  to  be  helpin'  peaceable  enough," 
said  Mrs.  Huggins,  calmly,  by  way  of  apology  for 
Zack.  It  took  more  than  suggestions  of  insurrec- 
tions and  murders  to  disturb  her  equanimity  when 
her  pipe  was  full. 

Dave  ventured  to  peep  out  of  the  window  again, 
and  there  was  our  honest  friend  Zack  feeding  the 
bogs,  while  the  httle  brown  woman  and  the  stiflF- 
knced  boy  leaned  ov^r  the  bars  and  looked  on  com- 
placently. 

"  Isn't  that  alarmiu',"  cried  Dave,  "  to  see  him 
a  takin'  of  my  matters  right  into  his  own  hands  ? 
Ha?" 


»",■■ 


-?r 


r 


100  OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 

"  There's  no  great  crime  in  feeding  of  hogs,  as  I 
see,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  determined  not  to  be 
disturbed  by  any  fears  real  or  imaginary. 

"  But  they  aint  his  hogs,  so  what  business  has  he 
a  meddlin'  with  'em  ? "  asked  Dave,  in  a  fretfiil 
tone. 

"  Done  it  to  help  Weza,  I  s'pose.  She  always 
does  it  now  to  save  IHck.  She  tries  to  save  every- 
body but  herself;  and  I  tell  yer  them  wrists  o' 
her'n  is  powerful  weak  for  heavy  lifts  ;  and  that's 
why  he's  a  helpin'  of  her,  and  I'm  glad  on't." 

"  And  he'll  go  back  and  tell  that  I  haint  got  a 
sound  hand  on  my  plantation,  he  will ;  that  he  had 
to  come  over  here  to  help ;  and  then  ire  Colonel 
will  call  me  '  mean '  agin.  I  suppose  he'll  think 
it's  as  '  mean '  to  let  a  little  woman  like  yonder 
one  feed  hogs  and  split  wood  as  it  is  not  to  paint 
meetin'  houses,"  cried  Dave,  looking  deeply 
wounded. 

"  Phc  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Dave,  "  ye're  a  gettin' 
yerself  all  riled  up  for  nothin'.  I  don't  care  ef 
he  does  come  and  help  and  go  home  and  tell  on't ; 
and  I  don't  care  if  they  do  say  ye're  mean  ;  like's 
not  if  I'd  married  the  Colonel  when  I  was  a  gal, 
and  yer'd  a  refused  to  help  paint  the  meetin'-house 
I  mought  a  said  so  myself.  Don't  talk  no  more,  it 
tires  me  to  hear  yer." 


AN  UNWELCOME  GUEST. 


101 


hogs,  as  I 
not  to  be 

less  has  he 
n  a  fretful 

She  always 

save  every- 
n  wrists  o* 

;  and  that's 

on't." 

haint  got  a 
;  that  he  had  . 

the  Colonel 
e  he'll  think 
L  like  yonder 
J  nob  to  paint 
)king    deeply 

ye're  a  gettin' 
don't  care  ef 
and  tell  on't; 
5  mean ;  like  s 
a  I  was  a  gal, 
B  meetin'-house 
talk  no  more,  it 


•    Dave,  getting  so  little  sympathy  where  he  had 
a  right  to  look  for  it,  was  thrown  upon  his  own 
resources  for  consolation  and  wisdom  in  the  matter. 
He  peeped  out  of  one  window  and  then  out  of 
another.    He  opened  his  mouth  to  call  Weza  in, 
and  then  shut  it  without  uttering  a  sound.    He 
walked  the  floor  a  few  moments  meditating  on  a 
plan ;  when  suddenly  he  opened  the  door  and  went 
up  the  broad  old  staircase,  now  seldom  used  at  all. 
He  found  his  way  to  the  garret,  and  from  the  heap 
of  broken  chairs,  old  boots  and  hats,  books  and 
saddles,  where  Weza  had  found  her  umbrella  for 
the  party,  he  drew  out  two  guns  which  had  been 
fine  pieces  in  the  days  of  the  old  master,  and 
which  still  looked  very  fierce.    Their  outward  ap- 
pearance was  as  terrific  as  ever,  but  they  lacked 
the  soul  of  a  gun.    These  he  bore  in  triumph  down 
stairs'to  exhibit,  thinking  thus  to  alarm  the  in- 
truder.   With  one  in  each  hand  he  walked  round 
the  house,  not  appearing  to  see  the  group  at  the 
bars,  but  expecting  that  at  sight  of  him  Zack  would 
run  over  the  corn-field ;  when  he  would  point  one 
of  them  at  him  and  threaten  to  take  his  life  if  ever 
he  showed  his  face  there  again.    What  was  his 
surprise,  then,  to  see  Zack  leave  his  friends,  and 
walk  deliberately  up  to  him.    Had  the  guns  been 


102 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


loaded,  Dave  would  have  run  now ;  but  as  it  was,, 
he  felt  uncommonly  brave. 

"  Good  evening,  Massa  Huggins,"  said  Zack. 
"  What  ye "  doin'  wid  two  guns  ?  Le's  see  'em, 
please,  I's  a  powerful  fellow  at  firearms,"  con- 
tinued he;  "been  a  great  gunner  bnd  hunter  in 
gineral,  from  de  cradle,  most;  and  I'm  great  on 
repairin*  guns,  too.  Well,  'pears  like  I'll  have 
business  here,  for  dese  is  only  de  shells  of  guns, 
but  over'n  our  shop  on  t'other  plantation  we've 
got  heaps  of  things  to  work  wid.  I'll  take  dcm 
home  for  ye,  sir,  and  fix  'em  up  to-morrow  or 
next  day.    Mighty  nice  weather,  sir." 

As  he  smiled,  and  showed  his  great  white  teeth, 
Huggins  became  reassured.  It  could  not  be,  he 
thought,  that  a  villain's  heart  could  be  hidden 
by  such  a  merry  face.  But  although  he  let  Zack 
take  the  guns  to  repair,  he  was  as  firm  ad  ever 
in  his  resolution  "  not  to  have  him  prowlin*  about 
the  plantation." 

Zack  was  quite  independent,  saying,  as  Huggins 
turned  to  go  in,  "  I  dropped  over  to  see  yer  folks 
arter  de  preachin',  and  I  reckon  I'll  take  a  bite  of 
Bomethin'  with  'em  'fore  I  goes  badk,  wid  yer 
leave,  Massa  Huggins." 
To  this  proposition  Dave  said,  "  Well,"  in  no  very 
gracious  tones,  but  Zack   wasn't  sensitive;  and 


•MM 


AN  UNWELCOME  GUEST. 


103 


,8  it  waB,. 

aid  Zack. 
,  gee  'em, 
pas,"  con- 
hunter  in 
great  on 
,  I'll  bave 
A  of  guns, 
ition  we've 
I  take  dem    . 
■morrow  or 

white  teeth, 
not  be,  be 

i  be  hidden 
he  let  Zack 

firm  afl  ever 

rowlin'  about 

g,  as  Huggins 
see  yer  folks 
take  a  bite  of 
»a(5k,  wid  yer 

5II,"  in  no  very 
sensitive;  and 


now,  quite  at  his  ease,  he  added,  "  As  yer  people 
don't  go  to  the  mcetin',  I  thought  it  might  please 
de  Lord,  my  great  Ma8sa,1f  I  come  over  and  re- 
peat what  I  heerd  from  de  preacher  dis  day." 

"Got  heaps  of  religion  theirselves,"  growled 
Dave.  "  If  yer  missus  thinks  her  folks  is  the  only 
ones  that  gets  Sciiptur'  larniu',  she's  mistakened, 
for  they  aint.  My  wife  has  giv'n  our  folks  a 
mighty  nice  Bible,  and  sot  Weza  a  teachin'  on  'em 
religion.  There's  tliree  on  'em  can  read  for  their- 
selves, too.  I  never  teaohed  'em.  They  kind  o' 
kotched  their  larniu'  from  Miss  Huggins  and  me, 
I  reckons ; "  and  with  this  disclaimer  he  walked 
into  the  house,  leaving  Zack  quite  at  home  on  the 
place,  a  self-invited  guest  at  supper. 

Huggins'  dormant  energies  were  aroused  for 
once.  He  was  grieved,  frightened  and  angry,  as 
he  walked  back  to  his  chair ;  byt  Zack  was  master 
of  the  situation,  and  had  matters  all  his  own  way 
in  the  kitchen.  After  Wcza  had  prepared  -upper 
for  her  master  and  mistress,  and  cleared  it  jway 
again,  there  was  talking  and  reading  'and  singing 
and  praying  in  the  kitchen,  and  as  much  freedom 
exercised  there  as  if  the  happy  creatures  owned  not 
only  themselves,  but  the  whole  world  too. 

There  were  times  when  this  class  were  lifted  above 
poverty,  pain  and  oppression ;    when  they  forgot 


'^ 


104 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


themselves  and  all  their  outward  circumstances, 
and  were  men  and  women  saved  by  grace,  and 
standing  face  to  face  with  their  Lord  and  Master. 
Then  they  envied  no  one,  feared  no  one  ;  but  were 
safe  and  happy  under  His  shadow,  where  alone  the 
high  and  the  low  can  hnd  rest  and  joy.  And  this 
was  one  of  thoso  timep  vrhich  they  called  "  standin' 
on  de  mount.'' 

"Here  we  ifi  now, .brothers  atd  sisters,"  said 
Zack,  "  wid  oui'  feet  plar.ted  firm  on  Mount  Zion,  a 
talkin'  to  de  blessed  Master  Jesus,  and  hearin'  him 
answer  us.  'Pears  like  dis  was  a  greater  time  for 
us  den  dat  was  for  de  holy  'ciples  when  de  dear 
Lord  take  dem  on  do  Mount  wid  him,  when  dere 
'peared  Moses  and  'Lias  a  taikin'  wid  him.  He 
was  transfigured  afore  dem  once,  and  his  gar- 
ments shined  liked  de  light  'fore  dem  OTiee.  He  is 
always  transfigured  in  our  eyes ;  his  garments  al- 
ways shinin'  like  de  light  'fore  us.  He  stays  on 
de  Mount  no  more  hungry,  no  more  tired,  yet  he 
comes  down  to  us,  and  talks  wid  us  like  we  was 
Moses  and  'Lias.  He  looks  out  for  us  like  we  was 
kings,  and  he's  gettin'  places  ready  for  us  up  dcro 
'mong  de  many  mansions,  and  bymeby  he'll  come 
and  take  us  home  to  glory.  Does  we  envy  any 
body  ?  No  sir.  Does  we  wish  we  owned  two  plan- 
tations, Uko  dear  Massa  Leon,  but  had  no  Christ  ? 


AN   UNWELCOME  GUEST. 


105 


jumstances, 
grace,  and 
and  Master. 
B ;  but  were 
re  alone  the 
r.  And  this 
Bd"8tandin' 

listers,"  said 
lount  Zion,  a 
i  hearin'  him 
ater  time  for 
ivhen  de  dear 
m,  when  dere 
ivid  him.    He 
and  his  gar- 
a  onee.    He  is 
8  garments  al- 
He  stays  on 
•e  tired,  yet  he 
lis  like  we  was 
us  like  we  was 
for  us  up  dcro 
leby  he'll  come 
es  we  envy  any 
owned  two  plan- 
had  no  Christ  1 


No,  no,  no.    Does  we  wish  we  took  life  easy,  and 
was  our  own  massas  like  massa  Hugglns,  and  had 
uothiu'  to  do  but  eat  and  drink  and  sleep  like  dem 
folks  I  just  been  feedin'  out  in  de  pen  ?    No,  no,  no. 
We's  willin'  to  wear  de  thorns  on  our  head  like  he 
did.    We's  willin'  to  walk  a  little  while  like  Jesus 
bisscif  walked  on  de  'arth,  — poor,  and  tired,  and 
without  a  house  like  de  birds  and  de  foxes,  and  no 
purse  o'  money,  and  not  even  our  liberty  to  go  and 
come  as  we  please.    We  can  'ford,  friends,  to  drink 
cf  de  cup  he  drink  of,  and  to  be  baptized  wid  de 
baptism  he  was  baptized  wid  ;  yes,  more  den  dat, 
we'g  willin'^to  die  like  he  died,  and  lie  in  de  grave 
a  little  while  like  he  did  ;  'case  bymeby  we'll  rise 
and  reign  wid  him  in  glory.    Now  I'll  sing  one  o' 
my  dear  mammy's  down-river  hymes,  and  you  may 
jine  in  de  chorus,  dat  goes  like  dis  : 


"'0,  glory,  glory,  glory! 
De  happy  day  shall  rise, 
When  we  shall  meet  our  Jesiu, 
■  Singin'  '  glory  •  in  de  skies.'  " 


"  0,  yes,  brother,"  interrupted  the  little  brown 
woman,  "  it's  easy  wearin'  thorns  on  yer  head,  and 
slecpin'  like  de  bii^ds  and  foxes  ;  easy  'nough  goin' 
to  prison  or  to  death  ;  but  could  yer  sing  '  Glory, 
glory,  glory,'  if  de  thorns  was  in  yer  heart  ?  If  yer 
had  two  pretty  boys,  one  dat  yer  couldn't  get  to, 


■'wyiiyrtjMiiMi^liiwrtiini^ 


..-tmUti 


■■■■■■ 


■ 


106 


001   OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


and  t'other  one  lost  forever  and  forever  somewiiar 
in  di8  great  wilderness,  could  yer  look  so  happy 
and  sing, '  Glory,  glory,  glory  ? '  " 

"  Sartin,"  replied  Zack ;  "  do  bigger  and  de 
sharper  de  thorns,  de  louder  I'd  sing  of  dc  glory 
dat's  beyond !  If  things  went  all  our  way  here 
we'd  be  mighty  shy  of  heaven  and  keep  mighty 
still  about  do  glory  dat's  ahead!  We'd  be  sat- 
isfied to  hang  on  here  forever !  Jesus  knows  dat, 
so  he  lets  de  thorns  be  put  on  to  de  head  or  into 
de  heart,  just  whar  we  needs  'em  most !  He 
knowf.d  what  arthly  love  was,  well  as  t  a  do ;  and 
he  was  tempted  in  every  pint  like  we's  tempted ; 
and  he  pities  us,  and  when  he  sees  fit  tie'll  remove 
de  thorns !  Now  try  for  to  trust  him  wid  yer  boys, 
yer  poor,  weak  woman,  and  bimaby  he'll  show  yer 
what  he's  been  a  doin'  for  yer  all  dis  time.  De 
very  best  way  to  take  de  pint*  off  o'  dem  thorns  is 
to  keep  all  de  time  lookin'  ahead  and  singin', 
*  Glory,  glory,  glory ' ! " 

"  There,  now,"  cried  Dave  Huggins,  "  I've  stood 
this  ere  noise  as  long  as  I  can ! "  and  opening  the 
outer  door,  he  called  to  Zack,  "  What  time  is  it, 
I'd  like  to  know  ?  I  reckons  ihat  watch  o'  yern 
is  rmi  down ! " 

"  Well,  Massa  Huggins,  it's  ten  o'clock,"  re- 
plied the  good-natured  fellow,  ".and  I  reckons  yer 


-rfMMl)Mm#jft^hH4tiitiM 


AN   UNWELCOMB  GUEST. 


107 


and   de 

de  glory 
jiay  l»ere 
f)  migbty 

I  be  satr 
nowB  dat, 
id  or  into 
lost!  He 
0  do ;  and 

tempted; 
I'U  remove 
d  yer  boys, 

II  show  yer 
time.    De 

m  thorns  is 
ind  singitt', 

"  I've  stood 

opening  the 

t  time  is  it, 

ratch  o'  yern 

o'clock,"   re- 
[  reckons  yer 


tliinks  it's  'bout  time  folks  dat  haint  got  no  passes 
should  go  home!  Good-niglit,  massa;  say  good- 
night to  missus  for  mc,  please,  and  if  yer  ever 
wants  a  good  turn,  jist  call  on  dis  boy  wid  de 
strong  arms,  sir." 

Dave  couldn't  help  calling  out  "good-night" 
through  the  darkness,  and  felt  not  a  little  relieved 
when  he  heard  the  heavy  steps  of  Zack  falling  on 
the  sod  as  he  walked  toward  the  lane. 

"  There,  now !  "  cried  Dave  to  Mrs.  Huggins. 
But  ho  might  as  well  have  addressed  the  "cheer  " 
as  the  lady  who  sat  in  it,  for  she  had  long  been  in 
blest  oblivion.    "There,  now,  yer  can't  quairel 
with  that  feUow  if  yer  want  to ;  and  it's  too  bad ! 
I  shouldn't  ought  to  have  let  him  oflFthis  way  with- 
out forbiddin'  of  him  to  come  here  agin !  " 
The  truth  was,  that  Dave,  now  relieved  of  the 
.  wholesome  fear  Zack  had  inspired,  wanted  to  quar- 
rel with  somebody.     Mrs.  Huggins  was  asleep,  and 
couldn't  interfere  in  behalf  of  her  favorite,  so  he 
called  in  a  stern  tone,  when  sure  that  Zack  was 
out  of  hearing,  "  Weza,  come  here  to  me !  " 

TH  little  woman  had  never  heard  him  speak  in 
sucx  a  rough  voice  before  ;  &iA  remembering  that 
she  had  been  forbidden  to  make  any  acquaintan- 
ces at  the  party,  she  trembled  violently  as  she 


108 


OUT  OF, THE  WILDERNESS. 


crossed  from  the  outer  kitclion  to  the  door  where 
he  was  standing  in  the  darkness. 

"  Well,  massa  ?  "  she  asked  meekly. 

"  What  did  I  say  to  yer  'bout  them  Leon  nig- 
gers a  comin'  over  here,  ha  ?  "  growled  Huggins. 

"  I  didn't  ax  dis  brother,  sir,  and  didn't  know 
he  was  a  comin'  till  I  see  him,"  she  answered. 

♦'  Well,  now,  this  ere's  only  a  beginning,  I  sup- 
pose ;  but  I'll  put  a  stop  to  it.  Don't  yer  ever  look 
at  that  fellow  nor  speak  to  him  while  I  ovm  ye ! 
Do  yer  hear  ?  " 

"  Yes,  massa,  I  hears,"  replied  the  little  woman, 
trembling  in  every  limb. 

"  And  will  yer  premise  on  yer  word  as  a  Chris- 
tian that  ye'U  obey  yer  master  in  all  things  ?  " 

*'0,  massa,  he's  been  so  kind  and  massiful  to 
me.  He's  so  pitiful,  and  he's  got  power  with  de 
great  Jesus  above, — 'pears  like  He  does  whatever 
Zack  axes  him  to  do ;  and  he's  promised  to  keep 
at  Jesus,  day  and  night,  like  do  widow  keep  at  de 
unjust  judge,  till  lie  send  me  some  word  about  my 
poor  boy ! " 

"  Then  yer  won't  promise,  ha  ?  " 

"  O,  massa,  dem  chil'eu  is  so  dear  to  my  heart ! " 
she  sobbed  out ;  "  how  can  I.  'fuse  to  speak  wid 
him  dat's  cuUin'  on  God  day  and  night  for  dem  ? 
'Pears  like  dem  two  childreu  stands  right  'twixt 


.^MwJfcOiWiil  ■Mlhiliii 


^1^ 


as  ft  Chris- 

nasBiful  to 
rev  witb  de 
3S  whatever 
>ed  to  keep 
keep  at  de 
d  about  my 


mybeart!" 
0  speak  wid 
ht  for  dem  ? 

right  'twixt 


yer  so 


AN  UNWELCOME  GUEST. 


109 


me  and  my  great  Massa,  sometimes,  and  hides 
Jesus  from  me ;  and  I  can't  stand  dat." 

Oh,  very  well,  just  as  yer  like,"  replied  Dave 
sarcastically.  "I  see  yer  don't  care  nothing  for 
yer  missus  and  me;  we've  been  so  cruel  to  ^er; 
we've  starved  yer,  and  whipped  yer,  and  abused 


"  No,  massa,  dat's  not  so ;  ye've  been  kind  to 
mc ;  and  de  Lord  knows  I  prays  day  and  night 
dat  he  will  bless  ye  for  it !  I'm  such  a  poor  weak 
creatur'  that  hash  words  would  break  my  bones  as 
easy  as  hard  blows ! " 

"  Yer  want  to  be  taken  down  river  and  sold,  I 
reckons,"  continued  Dave,  in  irony.  "  It's  mighty 
nice  to  have  a  change  once  or  twice  a  year,  and 
yer  might  run  agin  yer  boy  somewhar  or  nother. 
There's  a  man  roui\d  now,  makin'  up  a  gang  for 
Texyas;  that  would  be  a  pleasant  walk,  with 
plenty  of  company." 

At  these  words  the  little  woman  fell  down  at  his 
feet  in  the  darkness,  and  cried,  '*  0,  massa !  Let 
me  sarve  yer  in  de  field  or  any  whar.  Give  me 
half  food  and  half  clothes,  but  don't  sell  me  ;  for 
if  yer  do,  my  boy'U  lose  track  of  me  forever  and 
forever  I  And  Massa  George,  dat's  got  my  otlier 
little  one  too,  he'll  lose  me,  and  111  be  like  Rachel 
dat  wept  herself  to  death  "jout  her  children ! " 


.M....JU 


F 


L 


110 


CUT  OF  THE  WILT)ETiNESS. 


"  Will  yer  promise  then  not  to  speak  to  that  fel- 
low, nor  any  other  of  the  Leon  people,  nor  any 
body  else  that  comes  here  spyin'  round  my  planta- 
tion, as  long  as  yer  belong  to  me  ?  " 

*'  I  can't  promise  dat  to-night,  massa,"  sobbed 
the  poor,  comfortless  creature. 

"  Very  good,  then.  That  Zack  was  a  pirate 
once ;  he  used  to  sail  to  fureign  shores,  and  trap 
vessels  and  rob  'em,  and  then  burn  'em  up  crew 
and  all !  .  '.nd  he's  Leen  a  highway  robber,  too ; 
and  he's  raised  seven  insurractions  and  hilled  two 
or  three  masters,  till  at  last  they  couldn't  hire  no 
body  to  awn  him ;  and  so  his  master  sent  him  jp 
here  for  his  own  safety.  Now,  if  yer>  as  a 
Christian  woman,  that  makes  ))elieve  to  love  tho 
Lord,  can  choose  him  afore  yer  kind  massa  and 
missus,  yer  may  !  " 

*'  O,  massa,  dat  can't  be  true !  He's  as  peaceable 
as  a  kitten  ;  and  Madam  Leon  tells  her  people  if 
dey'U  all  follow  Zack  dey'll  be  faithful  to  de 
Colonel  and  reach  heaven  bymeby,"  she  ventured 
to  reply  in  a  whisper. 

"  T'jat's  to  flatter  him,  'cauce  she's  feared  on 
him,"  said  Dave. 

"No,  sir;  when  dey  went  off,  he  slept  in  de 
mansion  house  and  kep'  all  de  keys  and  —  " 

"  That's  enough,  now !    I  don't  argy  with  nig- 


AN  UNWELCOHK  GUEST. 


Ill 


hat  fel- 

lor  any 

planta- 

• 

'  sobbed 

a  pirate 
iiid  trap 

up  crew 
ber,  too; 
Ued  two 
;  hire  no 
t  him  ip 
n\    as   a 

love  tag 
assa  and 

peaceable 

people  if 

'ul    to  de 

ventured 

feared  on 

lept  in  de 

r  with  nig- 


gers! I  lays  down  my  laws  and  that's  an  end 
on't !  Yer  may  go  to  bed  now.  I'll  talk  to  yer  in 
the  morning,  and  tell  yer  'bout  a  letter  I've  Imd 
from  little  Sampson's  owner !  I  know  all  about 
ihe  boy,  and  if  I  was  to  try  I  could  get  him  here  to 
see  yer ! " 

Weza  shrieked  in  her  joy;  but  her  master 
checked  her  by  adding,  "  Now  ye'll  get  yer  pay  for 
not  promisin'  what  I  axed  yer,  for  I  sha'n't  tell 
yer  a  word.    Zack  can  pray  it  all  out,  may  be !" 

"  Please,  massa,  mought  I  speak  to  missus  afore 
I  goes  ?  "  asked  Weza,  weeping  bitterly. 

"No,  yer  moughtu't!  If  that  driver  that's 
round  here  calls  afore  I'm  up,  tell  him  to  wait,  us 
I've  got  business  to  do  with  him!"  And  he 
closed  the  door  and  went  in. 

The  distressed  little  woman  sat  down  on  a 
bencli  by  the  door  and  placed  her  hands  despair- 
ingly  over  her  heart.  She  closed  her  eyes,  and 
asked  help  of  Him  who  giveth  wisdom  to  the 
weakest  and  upbraideth  not.  And  a  cahn  peace 
stole  over  her  heart  as  she  communed  with  her 
"  Brother  Jesus." 

The  light  disappeared  from  Huggins'  window ; 
and  in  a  few  moments  all  but  herself  were  sleep^ 
ing.  Then  remembering  that  the  Colonel's  house 
was  full  of  guests  who  would  probably  be  late  in 


wmmM 


/' T'" 


112 


OUT  OP  THE  WTLDERNESS. 


retiring,  she  sprung  up,  and  as  if  by  inspiration, 
resolved  to  run  over  the  fields  and  throw  herself 
on  the  mercy  of  the  gentle  mistress  there. 

Without  any  covering  on  her  head  or  shoulders, 
she  set  off  in  the  chill  evening  air  to  seek  a  shel- 
ter ;  and  as  she  pressed  on  through  the  darkness, 
she  started  at  every  motion  of  the  trees  or  at  the 
barking  of  a  distant  dog.  And  as  she  went  she 
prayed  for  strength  and  pity. 


I 


l 


CHAPTER  X. 


MADAM  LEON. 


MADAM  Leou  was  a  tall,  graceful  lady,  with  a 
pale,  sweet  face,  far  too  young  for  such  silvery 
curls  as  hers.  But  she,  amid  all  her  riclies  and 
comforts,  had  seen  deep  sorrow.  She  too  had  tuod 
"  the  wilderness,"  and  its  thorns  and  hriars  had 
pierced  her  feet.  She  had  passed  through  floods 
-  and  flames  such  as  encompass  few  women  in  the 
quiet  walks  of  life.  In  maidenhood  she  had  been 
stung  by  family  mortifications  as  well  as  by  the 
death  of  those  who  had  brought  the  cloud  upon 
their  name,  and  who  weft  yet  very  dear  to  her. 
In  later  years  death  had  made  sad  havoc  among 
her  treasures,  laying  mother,  sisters  and  little  chil- 
dren in  the  grave,  and  she  had  borne  her  sorrows 
alone.  Her  father  believed  only  in  "  fate,"  and 
had  encouraged  her  to  bear  bravely  what  must  bo 
borne  in  some  way.    The  Colonel,  kind  and  tender, 

had  —  after  she  became  his  wife  —  striven  to  draw 
m 


V4 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


licr  mind  from  death  by  leading  her  into  guy  life, 
hoping  to  niaice  her  forget  her  dead  idola  by  re- 
placing them  with  living  ones.  Journeys,  parties, 
dress  and  jewels  could  not  heal  the  spirit  God  had 
wounded.  There  were  none  of  her  family,  none  «f 
her  associates  who  understood  he  case ;  and  as 
blow  after  blow  fell  on  her  defenceless  head,  she 
became  convinced  that  God  meant  to  destroy  her. 
The  gay  minister  whose  church  they  attended  at  a 
distance,  tried  to  console  her,  as  the  Colonel  did, 
by  drawing  her  mind .  still  farther  from  Him  who 
held  the  rod.  He  preached  on  Sunday,  and  tallted 
of  the  consolations  of  religion  in  the  week —  if  oc- 
casion required  ;  but  most  of  his  time  was  spent  in 
riding,  hunting  and  feasting  with  his  few  wealthy 
neighbors,  apparently  -as  regardless  of  their  souls 
as  if  he  had  never  heard  of  God  or  eternity.  He 
was  a  blind  leader  of  the  blind. 

One  evening,  years  before  our  story  opens,  this 
man  being  the  Colonel's. guest,  and  the  "  missus'  " 
heart  being  borne  down  by  restless  longings  for 
peace,  she  gathered  her  large  family  for  prayers  in 
the  long  dining-room.  The  clergyman  satisfied 
himself  by  calling  down  blessings  on  "the  basket 
and  the  store  "  of  his  friends,  and  by  praying  at 
the  servants,  thus  giving  (hem  incentives  to  obedi- 
ence and  threats  against  rebellion.    When  ho  and 


guy  life, 
>l»  by  re- 
,  parties, 
God  had 
,  none  «f 
;  and  as 
head, she 
stroy  lier. 
iidcd  at  a 
ilonel  did, 
Hinci  who 
md  talked 
ik — if  oo 
as  spent  in 
>w  wealthy 
their  souls 
rnity.    He 


opens,  this 
"  missus' " 
ongings  for 
r  prayers  in 
an   satisfied 
"the  basket 
praying  at 
ves  to  obedi- 
7hcn  he  and 


MADAM  LEON. 


116 


the  Colonel  left  the  hall  for  their  cigars,  *'  missus  " 
asked  old  Cloo  what  she  thought  of  the  prayer. 

"  I  thinks,"  replied  she  plainly, "  dat  it  is  like  de 
chaff  which  do  wind  driveth  away ;  like  steam,  and 
froth,  and  fog,  and  mist,  dat  yer  can't  get  a  hold 
on !     It  never  went  higher  den  dc  ruff  o'  do  house, 
missus,  dat's  sartin ;  and  it  won't  bring  down  no 
answer  of  peace  into  yer  soul.    I's  a  better  doctor 
for  yer  den  yer  graud  doctor;  and  I's   a   better 
minister  den  dig  huntin'  and  fishin'  and  billiardin' 
gen'l'mao  is.    Missus,^!  must  keep  my  place,  and 
not  go  preach  to  a  fine,  high-born  lady  ;  but  let  me 
speak  out  once  for  my  Master  and  tell  ye  •  dere  is  a 
"balm  In  Gilead  and  a  physician  dere.     If  yer'll 
only  jest  go  dere,  yer'll  come  bright  out  of  all  yer 
troubles.    Den  yer'll  shine  like  a  star  in  de  firm' 
ment  forever,  and  change  yer  tears  for  songs  o' 
praise  to  de  Lord  dat  love  yer  and  led  yer  up  out 
o'  de  wild'uess,  and  dat  will  save  yer  with  an  ever- 
lastin'  salvation.    0,  missus,  dear,  yer  lookin'  de 
wrong  way  for  peace.    Do  ye  'spect  life  to  spring 
out  of  de  grave,  or  p^ace  out  o'  rebellion  ?    No, 
110  ;  just  take  a  hold  o'  dat  hand  dat's  a  beckonin' 
to  yer,  and  yer'll  soon  find  yerself  on  de  road  to 
glory.    'Tain't  no  use  fightin'  agin  God,  and  it 
aint  no  use  tryin'  to  buy  'ligion  wid  good  works 
and  Bich  like.    De  Lord  is  a  dealin'  wid  yer  iu 


J 


.j=suujaA 


116 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


maasy,  liko  a  mother  deal  wid  her  bad  child  to 
bring  it  down.  But  she  loves  her  child  all  de 
more  for  she  try  to  make  it  good  ;  and  so  de  deai' 
Lord  deal  wid  yer  dear  heart.  'Cause  he  love  ho 
chasten,  so  de  good  book  say." 

"  O,  you  happy  old  woman ! "  cried  the  rich  lady. 
"  How  I  f^nvy  you  your  peace  and  joy  !  " 

"  So  well  yer  may,  missus  dear ;  for  I  wouldn't 
change  crowns  for  no  queen  on  arth.  Now  yer 
send  Tom  hossback  over  to  de  judge's  to-morrow, 
and  ax  mought  '  Preachin'  ^Jack '  come  over  here 
to  see  yer.  I  knows  dat's  mighty  humblin'  to 
proud  natur'  for  a  rich  lady  to  seek  larnin'  of  a 
poor  black  man ;  but  poor  natur'  has  got  fo  bow 
down  some  way,  and  dis  way  is  as  good  as  any 
other.  I  know  de  way,  de  truth  and  de  light  as 
well  as  Preachin'  Jack  does,  but  I  haint  got  '  de 
gift '  like  him.  Now  I  'spects  dis  fine  clergyman 
here  for  a  gerCVman,  but  for  a  Christian,  —  pho ! 
he  aint  got  no  more  'ligion  into  him  den  our 
tort'shell  cat  has.  Now,  dear,  I's  said  my  say  dat's 
been  a  burnin'  in  my  heart  a  long  time  and  dat 
I've  been  axin'  de  Lord  to  gin  me  a  chance  to  say. 
If  yer  can  stoop  down  in  de  dust  to  get  it  ye' 11  find 
.  peace  to  yer  soul." 

Madam  Leon  did  stoop  to  the  dust.  She  sent 
for  'Preachin'  Jack',  and  through  a  few  simple 


•■*--..., 


^4.j 


MADAM   LEON. 


117 


child  to 
d  all  dc 
,  de  deal 
,e  love  ho 

rich  lady. 

I  wouldn't 
Now  yer 

to-morrow, 
over  here 

amhlin'   to 

arnin'  of  a 

• 

got  fo  bow 
ood  as  any 
de  light  as 
int  got  '  de 
clergyman 
.ian,  —  phol 
Lm  den  our 
my  say  dat's 
pime  and  dat 
liance  to  say. 
5t  it  ye'll  find 

Bt.     She  sent 
a  few  simple 


words  from  him,  the  veil  was  removed  from  her 
eyes,  and  she  ceased  from  her  great  efforts  for 
peace,  gave  up  her  rebellion  against  God,  and 
found  rest  to  her  soul,  —  rest  which,  although  it 
had  now  aiid  then  been  ruffled,  had  never  been 
broken,  but  had  flowed  on  like  a  broad,  calm 
river. 

Being  isolated  from  spiritual  Christians,  thig 
lovely  woman  had  not  scorned  communion  with 
the  lowly  members  of  the  Lord's  fold  in  her  family 
and  around  her.  By  the  indulgence  of  the  Colonel, 
winking  at  what  he  did  not  approve  of,  she  im- 
parted while  receiving  instruction.  Her  Sunday 
evening  school  became  a  joyous  festival  for  her 
large  family,  many  of  whom  had  now  been  brought 
to  'esua  by  her  efforts  for  them.  She  also  read  a 
chapter  in  the  kitchen  every  evening  after  tea,  and 
■  called  on  one  or  another  of  the  family  to  pray, 
after  which  they  sang  their  rude  melodies  of  praise 
to  God.  If  there  could  have  been  such  a  thing  as 
extracting  "  the  naila  and  thorns  "  from  slavery  it 
would  have  been  done  on  that  plantation. 

Madam  Leon,  always  forebearing  and  pitiful,  be- 
came doubly  so  after  her  union  to  the  compassion- 
ate Saviour,  She  thenceforth  charged  hei-  heart 
with  the  sorrows  and  the  sicknesses  of  her  people, 
and  watcLed  for  their  souls  as  one  who  must  give 


118 


OUT  C>'^  THE  WILDSRNESS. 


account.  And  yet,  brought  up  amidst  slavery,  and 
having  seen  little  of  its  worst  features,  her  con- 
science never  accused  her,  nor  did  she  at  that  time 
make  one  effort  to  break  the  chain.  But  shall  any 
one  dare  to  say  she  was,  therefore,  not  a  living  and 
a  loving  disciple  of  the  Lord  Jesus  ?  Never.  She 
did  not  dream  of  raising  her  sable  friends  to  a  so- 
cial position  among  their  whiter  brethren,  and  yet 
she  would  have  washed  their  feet  in  imitation  of 
Jesus,  and  in  obedience  to  him. 

Such  was  the  woman  into  whose  family  Zack 
had  been  introduced  by  his  master,  under  the  feint 
of  a  sale,  to  please,  or  rather  to  appease,  the  mad- 
spirited  woman  to  whom  he  had  blindly  linked 
himself  in  the  bond  which  only  death  can  sever. 
Such  was  the  woman  to  whom  poor  Weza  flew  in 
her  anguish,  with  a  stronf;  assurance  that  she 
could  help  h<3r.  ' 

'  It -was  late  on  the  Sunday  night  after  Zack's  de- 
parture from  the  Huggins  plantation,  that  Colonel 
Leon  sat  on  his  broad,  fine  verandah,  with  three  or 
four  gentlemen,  chatting  of  politics,  and  of  the 
crops,  and  testing  cigars.  In  the  long  avenue 
which  led  from  the  house  through  an  orange  grove 
to  the  road,  a  heap  of  corn-cobs  was  smouldering 
for  the  inconvenience  of  the  mosquitos  that  swarm- 
ed about.    A  pretty  mulatto  boy  ran  between  that 


MADAM  LEON. 


119 


avery,  and 
I,  her  con- 
;  that  time 
b  shall  any 
,  living  and 
'ever.    She 
ads  to  a  80- 
en,  and  yet 
mitation  of 

family  Zack 
ler  the  feint 
se,  the  mad- 
indly  linked 
1  can  sever. 
Weza  flew  in 
tee  that  she 

• 

cer  Zack's  de- 
that  Colonel 
vrith  three  or 
»,  and  of  the 
I  long  avenue 
orange  grove 
is  smouldering 
as  that  swarm- 
1  between  that 


and  a  distant  shed  with  a  basket  to  replenish  the 
fire,  which,  when  stirred  up,  cast  a  wild  liglit  over 
the  party  on  the  verandah,  the  glossy  foliage  and 
the  boy,  who,  liaving  slept  half  the  day  in  tlie  sun, 
was  now  wide  awake,  and  eager  to  hear  all  that 
was  said. 

At  length  the  fire  waned,  and  the  little  foes  ap- 
proached the  house  and  gained  access  to  the  parlor, 
where  the  ladies  were  singing  songs  in  keeping 
with  the  hour. 

A  complaint  was  made  by  them,  when  the  Colo- 
nel called  out,  in  a  voice  terrific  to  one  who  did  not 
know  him,  "  Prince,  keep  up  your  fire  there,  you 
lazy  young  dog ;  jou  might  as  well  be  in  bed  — 
where  you  ought  to  be—  as  here." 
;j  But  Prince,  who  was  leaning  against  a  pillar  of 
the  verandah,  didn't  move,  but  mumbled  something 
between  his  teeth. 

"  Why  don't  you  start  ?  "  cried  the  Colonel,  in 
still  ^ercer  tones,  but  with  a  most  unruffled  man- 
ner. 

'  " 'Case  Ps  feared,  massa !  Can't  Jim,  or  Ceaze, 
or  some  o'  dem  bold  ones,  bring  de  cobs  now, 
please  ?  " 

"Afraid!"  cried  the  Colonel.  "The. truth  is, 
the  women  in  the  kitchen,  and  the  ladies  in  the 
house,  pet  and  doddle  you  up  till  they're  making  a 


ts 


■■I 


mm 


lao 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDEBNESS. 


fool  of  you !    You  won't  bring  the  price  of  a  dog 
when  you're  a  man." 

"  Dey  say  Fa  mighty  smart,  'stead  of  being  a 
fool,"  replied  the  little  fellow,  grinning.  "  I  reck- 
ons Mammy  Cleo  wants  me  to  fill  her  snuff  box 
now,  in  a  mighty  big  hurry !  Can't  I  go  send 
Ceaze,  sir  ?  " 

"  Tell  me  first  what  you're  afraid  of  with  half  a 
dozen  gentlemen  close  by  you  ?  "  And  the  colonel 
took  him  by  the  curls  and  shook  him  playfully. 

"  I  heerd  a  sound,  massa,"  replied  Prince,  open- 
ing his  fine  eyes  and  setting  his  lips  apart,  as  if  to 
show  his  white  teeth  off  to  the  best  advantage. 

"What  kind  of  a  soimd?  Music  from  the 
parlor,  or  praying  from  the  kitchen  ?  "  asked  the 
gentleman. 

''  Nether,  massa ;  but  a  sob-like,  and  a  groan- 
like, and  a  rustin-like,  and  a  moanin",  and  a  creep- 
in',  and  a  whisperin',  and  all  kinds  of  easy  noises, 
like  ghosts  in  de  graveyard,  and  when  der's  dead 
folks  about !  Til  run  and  hide  if  Ceaze  don't  come ; 
and  den  de  'squiters  will  eat  up  all  de  ladies!'^ 
And  with  this  terrible  threat  the  independent 
young  gentleman  took  to  his  heels  and  was  soon 
safe  under  the  wing  of  Mammy  Cleo,  with  whose 
authority  neither  blacks  nor  whites  interfered. 
She  took  the  discipline  of  all  the  children  into  her 


ff^ 


MkaMl>M*>i 


MADAM  LEON. 


121 


8  of  a  dog 

}f  being  a 

"  I  reck- 

snuff  box 

[  go  send 

^th  half  a 
the  colonel 
ly  fully, 
ince,  open- 
irt,  as  if  to 
utage. 

froai  the 
'  asked  the 

id  a  groan- 
md  a  creep- 
sasy  noises, 
der's  dead 
ion't  come ; 
de  ladies!'^ 
independent 
,d  was  soon 
with  whose 
interfered, 
ren  into  her 


own  hands ;  and  the  result  was,  there  was  little 
which  went  by  the  name  of  discipline  among  them. 
But  for  all  tliat,  they  were  good  and  pleasant  chil- 
dren and  less  given  to  lying  and  tlieft  than  most  of 
their  class.  There  was  no  premium  set  on  tliese 
vices  by  the  Colonel,  by  either  whipping  or  starv- 
ing them ;  though  they  swarmed  like  hungry, 
locusts.  As  to  "  madam,"  it  was  true,  as  Iluggins 
had  said,  "  she  kept  a  sharp  eye  on  the  overseer 
and  had  a  finger  in  every  thing  that  went  on  on  ' 
the  plantation." 

Tlie  little  mulatto's  departure  was  not  a  mean 
desertion  in  the  face  of  the  foe  ;  for  he  at  once  sent 
a  subRtitute  in  the  person  of  the  keen-witted  little 
feno*r  who    was    driving  the   pleasure    party  in    ' 
"  Massa  Huggins'  old  tumble  down  car'age,"  on  the 
day  of  Weza's  arrival  there.    He  now  came  up, 
armed  with  a  stick  longer  than  himself,  saying  to 
the  laughing  gentlemen,  "  I's  two  years  younger  as 
Prince  is,  but  1  isn't  half  such  a  goose !     I  aint 
afeared  o'  sights  nor  sounds  nor  nothin'  that  can't 
hit  me  a  lick !    Don't    believe  he  heard  notliio', 
only  he  was  mighty  sleepy  and  want. to  go  to  bed. 
I's  brave !     I  can  kick  hot  coals  wid  my  bare  foot 
and  lift  corn-cobs  up  when  dey  all  afire.    Harkee, 
massa,  what's  dat  noise  'mong  de  trees,  ha?" 
And  reaching  forward  his  head,  the  brave  hero 


ft» 


1 

Niiroliilir 


1^ 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDEBNE6S. 


peered  in  among  the  bushes,  looking  the  very 
picture  of  horror !  And  not  stopping  to  kick  or 
pick  up  the  coals,  he  followed  Prince ! 

"  I  heard  something  myself  then,"  said  the  Colo- 
nel, rising  and  going  towards  the  spot  whence  the 
the  sound  came. 

"Hallo,  there!"  he  cried.  "Who's  this,  and 
what  are  you  hiding  for  !     Matty,  is  that  you  ?  " 

"  No,  massa,"  cried  a  weak  voice,  "  it's  none  of 
yer  happy  people,  but  a  poor  sheep  of  de  Lord  Je- 
sus', wanderin'  heart-broken  in  de  wild'ness !  I 
felt  just  like  He  told  me  to  come  here  to  yer  inis« 
BUS,  and  tell  her  my  troubles  and  she  would  listen 
for  Christ's  sake,  'case  I  was  his'n.  I  got  here  and 
darsn't  go  up  to  de  house  till  de  company  was  ^one 
in  and  de  lights  was  out,  and  de  music  quit,  den  I 
was  goin'  up  to  call  her  and  fall  down  on  my  kmies 
and  bog  her  to  make  Massa  HU(i,gitis  tell  me  where 
my  boy  is !  1  can't  live  if  1  don't  know  mighty 
soon !  Have  massy  on  me,  massa,  and  let  your 
blessed  missus  come  out  and  speak  to  me,  way  from 
de  fine  company,"  cried  Weza,  clasping  her  hands 
as  if  in  prayec 

"  Come  out  here,  my  woman,"  said  the  Colonel ; 
"  you  surely  haven't  run  off  from  fear  of  your  mas- 
ter 7  I  should  as  soon  be  afraid  of  an  old  sheep  ! 
It  isn't  in  hiu.  to  be  cruel.    Whatever's  the  matter 


MADAM  LEON. 


128 


you 
'»  none  of 
e  Lord  Je- 
d'neBs  I  I 
to  yer  mis- 
ould  liHten 
)t  here  and 
^  was^one 
quit,  den  I 
1  my  kn«)es 

me  where 
)w  mighty 
d  let  your 
way  from 

her  haud» 

te  Colonel ; 

f  your  maft- 

old  sheep  I 

the  matter 


between  you,  he'll  sleep  off  his  anger.  But  co.ne 
with  me  if  you  want  to  see  madam.  She's  the 
friend  of  all,  thank  Heaven !  And  she  keeps  her- 
self in  business  too,"  h€  added  to  his  guests,  with 
a  smile. 

The  poor,  trembling  woman  was  led  into  the 
hall,  and  the  lady,  when  called,  left  her  guests  and 
came  out  to  meet  her. 

"  Ah,  my  poor  little  woman,"  she  said,  "  is  this 
you  ?  I  hope  nothing  has  gone  wrong  with  you 
and  my  neighbors.  Gome  with  me  to  my  own 
room  and  'et  me  know  if  I  can  help  you." 

The  "  little  brown  woman  "  told  her  whole  his- 
tory to  the  lady,  down  to  the  hour  when  Massa 
Huggius  revealed  the  story  of  the  letter,  and  vowed 
that  she  should  never  see  it  and  never  know  where 
her  boy  was. 

The  lady  asked,  "  What  did  Mrs.  Huggins  say  ?  " 

''  0,  missus  dear,  massa  wouldn't  even  let  me 
speak  to  her,  and  said  maybe  I'd  never  speak  to 
her  on  arth  agin.  Dere's  a  driver  round  arter  a 
gang,  and  I's  feared  he'll  sell  me  in  de  morning." 

Madam  Leon  smiled.  '*  Keep  your  mind  sasy, 
my  poor  woman,  about  being  sold.  There's  no 
driver  about.  Although  we  never  sell  our  })Cople, 
we  hear  every  thing  that  goes  on  among  those  who 
do ;  and  I  know  there's  no  truth  in  this  !     Beside, 


M 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 

you're  the  only  person  in  that  house  to  get  the 
food ;  and  they  like  you  too  well  to  sell  you.  Go 
home  now  and  go  to  bed  quietly,  trying  to  trust 
your  boys  with  God,  and  I  will  ask  the  Colonel 
what  he  can  do  for  you.  Be  sure  Mrs.  Huggins 
will  take  your  part ;  and  as  for  your  poor  massa', 
he's  more  afraid  of  her  than  you  are  of  him.  I 
will  shield  you  from  being  sold  ;  for  if  they  offer 
you,  the  Colonel  will  buy  you  rather  than  hare  you 
sent  off  far  from  your  children.  Surely,  my  little 
woman,  you  can  trust  your  boys  where  you  trust 
your  soul,  can't  you  ?  —  with  the  tender  Saviour  ?  '* 

Weza  burst  into  tears ;  and  smiling  through 
them,  she  said,  "  Yes,  yes,  angel  of  a  lady,  I  can, 
and  I  will  too;  and  I'll  go  home  and  love  old 
massa  and  missus,  and  love  my  hard  work,  and 
thank  de  dear  Lord  for  dem  all ! " 

Then  the  lone  creature  set  off  with  a  far  lighter 
heart  over  the  corn-field  for  home ;  and  that  night 
she  slept  the  sleep  which  God  g^vetli  to  his  be- 
loved. 

The  next  morning  poor  Dave  looked  far  more 
like  the  humbled  party  than  Weza  did.  He  had 
unwisely  related  his  last  night's  work  to  Mrs. 
Huggins,  who  was  more  stirred  by  it  than  she 
could  have  been  by  one  of  the  "  yarthquakes  "  she 
had  always  talked  of.    She  had  actually  taken  her 


MADAM  LEON. 


125 


[)  get  the 
you.  Go 
r  to  trust 
le  Colonel 
I.  Huggins 
or  massa', 
)f  him.    I 

they  offer 
ft  have  you 
fy  my  little 
5  you  trust 
Saviour  ?  " 
ig  through 
ady, I  can, 
id  love  old 

work,  and 

I  far  lighter 
1  that  night 
.  to  his  be- 

jd  far  more 
id.  He  had 
>rk  to  Mrs. 
it  than  she 
quakes"  she 
lly  taken  her 


pipe  out  of  her  mouth  and  laid  it  beside  her  plate 
at  the  breakfast  table  that  she  might  scold  without 
lundrance. 

"  Mighty  hard  on  me,  a  poor,  tired  woman  and 
stiff  in  the  jints  too !  Mought  ha'  let  my  little 
woman  alone  when  she's  the  only  decent  one  I've 
had  for  seven  year!  But  you  must  go  scoldin' 
ab6ut  her  'ligion  and  'cause  a  man  spoke  to  her, 
and  tellin'  her  about  that  letter,  and  a  frettin'  of 
her  in  gineral." 

*'  I  didn't ! "  Dave  ventured  to  say,  but  it  was 
said  much  as  a  whipped  but  unsubdued  boy  replies 
to  ]iis  father.  "  I  knowed  he'd  go  home  and  tell 
that  our  fences  was  do^n  and  our  carts  broke  and 
our  bosses  lame  and  our  house  runnin'  down  and 
every  thing !  And  I  don't  want  nobody  a  spyin' 
about  and  tellin'  my  family  secrets." 

"  Family  secrets !  "  cried  Mrs.  Dave,  scornfully. 
"  I  guess  the  Colonel's  got  eyes  !  He  couldn't  live 
within  ten  miles  of  us  and  not  know  that  I've  gin 
up  tryin'  to  keep  things  straight,  'cause  yer 
haint  got  no  ambition.  I  tell  yer  our  secrets  is 
all  out  doors.  If  I'd  a  married  the  Colonel  when  I 
was  a  gal,  things  wouldn't  a'  been  iu  this  bene 
condition ! " 

"  Umph !  "  growled  Dave,  "  if  I'd  a  married 
Madam  Leon  when  I  was  young,  things  on  that 


126    ■  OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 

plantation  wouldn't  'a'  looked  as  they  do  now,  — 
no,  no,  that  isn't  what  I  mean.  I  mean  things 
wouldn't  'a'  —  'a'  —  looked,  —  " 

"  Pho  !  "  cried  Mrs.  Dave,  "  I  reckon  that's  it, 
whether  yer  mean  it  or  not.  They  wouldn't  'a' 
looked  as  they  do  now,  sure!  They'd  W  looked 
used  up  in  gineral,  mostly,  I  reckon." 

Dave  was  just  trying  to  right  himself  on  the  sub- 
ject, when  Mrs.  Huggins  dropped  her  hands  and 
threw  back  her  head  as  if  smitten  with  a  sudden 
palsy,  and  exclaimed,  "  As  sure's  I'm  sittin'  in  this 
cheer" — a  surer  thing  couldn't  be — "there  comee 
the  Colonel's  smart  car'age  with  him  and  her  and 
two  of  their  companies  comin'  to  call  on  me. 
Where  shall  I  hidfi  ?  No,  Huggins,  you  go  hide  ; 
Weza,  bring  mo  my  changeable  silk  gown  and 
crape  shawi,  and  my  bonnet  and  parasol  and  fan. 
No,  no,  not  the  bonnet  nor  parasol  nor  fan.  folks 
don't  need  them  to  see  company.  Pick  up  the 
dishes!    Fly,  now!" 


that's  it, 
didn't 
•ft'  looked 

,n  the  sub- 
hauda  and 
,  a  sudden 
tin'  in  this 
[lere  comer 
ad  her  and 
ill  on  me. 
1  go  hide ; 

gown  and 
ol  and  fan. 
fan.    t'olks 

ick  up  the 


CHAPTER  XL 


GREAT  EVENTS. 


^pHERB  are  great  events  in  the  history  of  every 
X  family,  and  such  was  this  visit  of  Colonel 
and  Madam  Leon  to  the  Huggins  mansion.  Mrs. 
Huggins  had  barely  time  to  throw  on  her  changea- 
ble silk  and  hide  its  unclosed  front  with  the  gay 
crape  shawl,  but  not  time  to  arrange  her  elf  locks, 
before  the  carriage  stopped  at  the  door.  The  lord 
of  the  mansion  was  in  his  shirt  sleeves,  their  elbows 
bearing  evidence  that  Mrs.  Huggins  was  stitf  in 
lier  fingers  as  well  as  in  other  "  jints."  His  slip- 
pers had  been  manufactured  with  a  jack-knife  from 
a  pair  of  old  boots,  and  bore  strong  nroof  fhat 
"  reconstructing  "  was  not  recreating. 

"  Ketch  up  the  odd  things  that's  lyin'  round  and 
fling  my  pipe  out  of  the  window,  Weza,  for  Obed 
says  madam  thinks  iv's  a  shame  for  a  woman  to 
smoke,  and  don't  even  let  her  black  women  do  it ; 
and  when  they  knocks  tell  'em  yer'U  come  in  aud- 

197 


128 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Bee  if  I'm  home,  'case  I  wouldn't  like  them  to 
think  I  dressed  up  a  iturpose  fur  them,"  said  Mra. 
Huggins. 

It  was  the  middle  of  the  forenooon,  and  quite  a 
proper  time  for  a  call.  The  "  companies  "  sat  ia 
tiie  carriage,  while  the  Colonel  and  his  lady  came 
in  just  in  time  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  Dave's  elbows 
as  he  fled  into  the  back  entry.  They  must  have  been 
a  little  surprised  at  the  style  in  which  their  hostess 
was  half  gotten  up,  but  more  so  when  she  ex- 
pressed regfet  that  she,  "  bein'  uncommon  stiff  in 
the  jints  that  mornin',  should  have  such  a  late 
breakfast  and  been  ketched  with  this  here  old  gown 
and  shawl  on."  For  although  there  was  no  social 
visiting  between  these  two  families,  they  often  mot 
at  funerals  ;  and  the  lady  had  never  seen  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins  in  any  other  dress,  summer  or  winter,  but  the 
one  just  spoken  of  so  scornfully. 

After  the  usual  civilities  were  over,  the  Colouei 
asked,  *'  Can  we  see  neighbor  Huggius  this  morn- 
ing?" 

"  Well,  yes,"  replied  Mrs.  Dave,  "  he's  about 
some'ere  or  nother,  a  seein'  arter  things.  He  lins 
to  be  up  with  the  sun,  a  lookiu'  arter  these  lazy 
creeturs.  I  tell  yer.  Colonel,  it's  mighty  hard  ruu- 
nin'  a  plantation  without  an  overseer.  The  nig- 
gers shirks  so  under  the  gentleman  hisself — at 


OHEAT  EVUaiTS. 


t39 


Itcm  to 
aid  Mrs. 

• 
[  quite  a 

"  gat  ill 

idy  came 

's  elbows 

»ave  been 

ir  hostess 

a   she  ex- 

►n  stiff  in 

ch  a  late 

.  old  gown 

I  no  social 

often  mot 

Mrs.  Hug- 

er,  but  the 


le 


Colonel 
his  morn- 


le's  about 

He  has 

these  lazy 

y  hard  ruu- 

The  nig- 

liisself — at 


least  ours  docs,  mostly.  Weza !  Weza-a-a-ah  !" 
she  added,  at  the  same  time  thumping  loudly  with 
a  chair  on  the  floor. 

The  little  brown  woman  appeared,  looking  very 
shy.  The  excitement  of  this  great  event,  on  which 
she  felt  sure  that  her  destiny  hung,  brought  color 
even  to  her  dark  cheek. 

"  Weza,"  said  her  mistress,  "  take  your  master's 
coat  out  to  him  - —  he's  some'er's  off  on  the  planta- 
tion a  lookin'  arter  Ivis  men  —  and  tell  him  no  mat- 
ter what  he's  a  doin'  of  he  must  come  in,  for  Colo- 
nel Leon  and  madam's  here.  And  tell  him  he's 
been  out  so  long  it's  time  he  had  a  rest." 

Weza  took  the  coat  from  a  press  and  went  into 
the  front  entry,  and  in  an  incredibly  short  time  — 
considering  how  far  off  her  master  had  been  —  he 
appeared,  shiniug  as  if  he  had  been  scoured  with 
soft  soap.  His  full  gray  hair  stood  up  in  strongly 
defined  ridges,  having  been  combed  with  his  big 
fingers,  there  being  no  adequate  toilet  arrange- 
ments in  the  back  entry.  Ho  gave  his  guests  a 
very  dump  right  hand,  and  said  to  each,  "  I'm 
proud  to  see  yer,  and  I  hope  yer  find  yerselvea 
well." 

After  they  had  chatted  about  the  crops  and  the 
wood  which  Dave  was  selling  to  the  river-boats, 


ii 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


tliu  hoHt  rose  and  asked,  *^  Have  brandy  or  gin, 
Colonel?" 

"  Oil,  neither,  thank  you,"  replied  the  gentleman, 
with  an  arch  smile.  "  Among  the  bad  habits  this 
good  lady  broke  me  of  twenty  years  ago  was  that 
of  drinking  gin.  She  told  me  then  never  to  touch 
it,  and  I  haven't  dared  to  do  so  since." 

•"  Yer  drink  wine,  don't  yer  ?  " 

"  Very  seldom.  Once  in  a  wliile  at  a  public  din- 
ner, when  she's  not  there  to  watch  me,  I  do  take 
one  glass  ;  but  I  call  myself  a  temperance  man," 
said  the  Colonel. 

"  Well,"  replied  Huggins  —  quite  at  his  ease  on 
a  theme  of  which  ho  felt  himself  master  —  "  so  be 
I  a  temperance  man — on  my  own  hook.  I've  been 
axed  agin  and  agin  to  jine  pledges,  but  I  tell  'em  I 
c»n  be  a  temperate  man  without  no  oaths.  I'm  an 
American  citizen,  bom  free.  The  first  article  of 
faith  in  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  is, 
*  All  men  is  born  free  and  equal ' ;  now,  if  I  signs 
away  my  liberty  to  drink  gin  when  I'm  a  mind  to, 
why,  then,  I'm  no  longer '  free  and  equal,'  but  a 
slave  to  a  temperance  'siety.  I  call  it  an  awful 
thing  not  to  be  free  and  equal  in  a  country  whose' 
articles  of  i'aith  says,  every  man's  free  and  equal. 
But  I'm  a  temperance  -man,  for  all  that ;  for  no 
man  alive  ever  say  me  so  tipsy  that  I  didn't  know 


GREAT   EVENTS. 


181 


jentleman, 
habits  this 
)  was  that 
r  to  touch 


public  din- 
,,  1  do  take 
ance  man,' 

his  ease  on 
5r  —  "80  be 
.    I've  been 

I  tell  'em  I 
hs.  I'm  an 
st  article  of 
3d  States  is, 
iw,  if  I  signs 
n  a  mind  to, 
equal,'  but  a 

it  an  awful 
ountry  whose' 
se  and  equal. 

hat ;  for  no 
[  didn't  know 


what  I  was  about.  I  con  drink,  and  drink,  and 
drink,  and  yet  walk  as  straiglit  as  yer  do.  Now 
that's  more  than  these  temperance  'sietics  can  do. 
If  they  should  drink  a  tenth  part  the  gin  I  do, 
they'd  stagger  like  a  spent  top,  they  would." 

When  Dave  had  thus  defined  his  jwsition  on  the 
temperance  question,  the  Colonel  changed  the  sub- 
ject to  negroes ;  and  after  a  moment  he  said,  "  I 
hear  you  are  trying  to  sell  this  little  woman  we 
just  saw.  My  wife  wants  one  about  like  lier,  so 
we  thought  we'd  drive  over  and  make  some  in- 
quiries," 

"  Sell  her!  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Dave,  "  I'd  as  soon 
sell  him"  and -she  pointed  at  her  husband  with 
most  unconjugal  coolness. 

'J  Excuse  me,"  said  the  Colonel.  "  I  was  in- 
formed that  you  said  there  was  a  driver  about  here 
making  up  a  gang  for  Texas,  and  that  he  was.  to 
call  on  you  this  morning,  when  you  were  to  sell 
her.    I  hadn't  heard  of  the  driver  before." 

"  There,  now,"  cried  Dave,  "  that  ere's  the  work 
of  Obed.  Him  and  that  boss  o'  his'n  is  doing 
heaps  of  mischief  by  cairjnng  news  from  one  plan- 
tation to  another.  I  suppose  they  was  sittin'  about 
some'er's  in  the  dark  last  night  when  I  was  for- 
biddiu'  Weza  to  steal  bacon  and  chickens  to  give 


13f  OUT  OP  THE  WlLDERNEiiS. 

to  the  boatmen  she's  got  acquainted  with  and  that 
are  forever  prowlin'  about." 

"  Never  see  a  boatman  on  the  place,  and  don't 
believe  she  ever  stole  a  pin,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins. 
"  Did  yer  threaten  to  sell  her  ?  " 

"  Well,  I  just  hinted  that  if  she  didn't  walk 
straight  and  keep  strange  niggers  off  my  plantation 
I  mought  be  driv'  to  rash  measures,"  said  Dave. 

"  If  you've  any  such  thought,"  said  madam  Leon, 
"  my  husband  will  give  you  a  hundred  dollars 
more  than  you  paid  for  her  't  "  ;.» ;  >.j(;,j,>Yf 

"  I  wouldn't  take  a  thousand,"  cried  Mrn.  Dave. 
"  I  feel  like  I'd  bought  a  mother  and  a  sister  and  a 
darter  and  a  sarvant  all  in  one.  She's  the  only 
real  bargain  Hugging  ever  got  ;■  and  he  wouldn't 
have  got  her  so  cheap  at  auction.  She  was  on  a 
plantation,  and  couldn't  stand  the  hot  sun.  She 
was  born  a  lady's  maid,  and  that's  what  makes  her 
80  valuable -to  me  ;  she  can  dress  my  hair  so  beau- 
tiful and  wait  on  me  in  giueral.  The  rest  of  our 
niggers  aint  wuth  their  feedin'." 

"  Yes,"  said  Dave,  "  she's  right.  I  have  bad 
mighty  bad  luck  witli  hands.  See  how  old  my 
three  men  is  and  how  lamo  them  two  boys  is." 

"  But  you  know,"  suggested  the  Colonel,  "  the 
men  wern't  infants  when  you  bought  them,  and  the 
others  were  always  lame." 


""^llMi-n     ■■ 


""■fOXIWMWpPPW**- 


GREAT  EVENTS. 


188 


and  that 

nd  don't 
Hugging. 

in't  walk 
plantation 
I  Dave, 
iam  Leon, 
;d  dollars 

VIri.  Dave. 
ister  and  a 
3   the  only 
e  wouldn't 
e  was  on  a 
,  sun.    She 
makes  her 
air  so  beau- 
rest  of  our 

I  have  had 
ow  old  my 
ays  is." 
)loncl,  "  the 
lem,  and  the 


"There's  Obed,  I  couldn't  give  liim  away,— rhoss 
and  ail,"  cried  Huggins,  mournfully. 
"  ^id  you  give  any  thing  for  him  ?  " 
"  Well,  no,  not  a  big  price,  and  I  wish  I  hadn't 
took  him  at  all.  He's  gettin  powerful  sharp  now-a- 
d;i  vs.  When  he  goes  to  the  spring  he  takes  a  jour- 
ney round  tellin'  family  secrets.  I  do  believe  he 
sleeps  a  hossback  and  was  woke  up  by  me  advisin' 
Weza." 

"  Well,  neighbor  Huggins,  my  news  didn't  come 
through  Obed,  at  all.  But  of  course  the  woman  is 
youis,  and  you've  a  right  to  keep  her.  I'm  not  the 
one  to  worry  a  neighbor." 

"  Thank  ye  Colonel,  ye've  always  been  civil  to 
me,"  said  Dave. 

*'  You've  had  a  letter  about  the  poor  woman's  boy, 
haven't  you  ?  My  women  told  their  mistress  how 
distressed  she  was  about  losing  him  when  she  was 
sold,"  said  the  Colonel. 

"  WfeU,  yes,  f  kind  of  a  letter,"  replie '  Dave. 
"  Tliere  wasn't  much  in  it,  and  what  was  in  it 
wasn't  worth  tellin'.  So  I  didn't  read  it  to  her  and 
had  forgot  all  about  it." 

"  But  you  will  ten  her  where  the  boy  is  and 
write  to  his  owner  surely  ? "  asked  the  Colonel. 
"  You  and  I  had  mothers  once,  Huggins,  and  w^j 
must  feel  for  other  poor  mothers.    You  can  make 


—.-...„...■,,  f,..,    ,tf-y„;^ 


Mm 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


this  liarmlcss  creature  as  happy  as  a  bird  by  roading 
that  letter  to  her  and  promising  her  a  trip  at 
Christmas  to  see  the  boy." 

"  I'm  afeard  she'd  get  uneasy,"  replied  Dave. 

"  She'll  surely  bo  uneasy  now.  I  find  the  best 
way  to  keep  my  people  easy  and  to  get  woric  out  of 
them,  is  to  make  them  as  happy  as  I  can.  And  I've 
always  thought  that  was  your  plan  too,  for  I  never 
heard  a  cornplaint  of  ill  treatment  or  hard  fare 
here,"  said  the  gentleman. 

"  If  I  may  make  so  bold,  Colonel,"  said  Dave, "  I 
don't  like  that  powerful  great  fellow  of  yours  com- 
ing round  here.  I  mought  as  well  own  up  that 
'twas  'bout  him  that  we  had  the  quarrel  last  night. 
He's  been  round  here  a  beatin'  religion  into  my 
folks  like  he  thought  they  was  heathen ;  and  has 
got  round  this  woman  by  a  promisin'  to  pray  for 
her  boy,  that  he  mought  turn  up  some'er's.  Next 
thing  he'll  put  her  up  to  runuin'  off,  too,"  said 
Dave.  • 

"  No  he  won't,"  answered  the  gentleman ;  "  he 
promised  his  mother  when  a  boy  that  he'd  nevev 
steal  himself,  and  I'd  take  his  word  as  quick  as  I 
would  Judge  Bacon's.  If  he.  wanted  to  run  ho 
could  do  it  any  day,  for  I  don't  own  him  and 
shouldn't  spend  my  time  hunting  him."  Tlie 
Colonel  smiled,  and  added,  '*  I'll  send  him  over 


OBEAT  EVENTS. 


186 


reading 
trip  at 

)ave. 
the  beat 
•k  out  of 
And  I've 
:  I  never 
anl  fare 

Dave,  "I 
>ur8  com- 
t  up  that 
ast  night. 
I  into  my 
;  and  has 
)  pray  for 
r's.    Next 
too,"  said 


inau;  "he 
he'd  nevpv 
quick  as  I 
to  run  ho 
(I  him  and 
m."  Tlie 
I  him  over 


to-morrow,  and  if  you  want  any  saddles  or  harness 
mended  you  may  call  on  him.  There  isn't  much 
1.C  can't  do.  And  now,  before  we  go,  let  me  beg 
you  to  tell  this  woman  about  her  child,  and  to 
answer  the  letter  for  her." 

"  I  ain't  much  of  a  writer,"  said  Dave,  by  way 
of  excuse,  "  and  our  ink  is  so  dried  up  and  our  pen 
80  rusty  that  I  had  a  mighty  job  to  sign  Capt. 
Carr's  rdbeipts  for  the  wood  last  week." 

"  I  think  it's  always  l^st  for  us  rough  men  " 
said  the  Colonel,  »  to  pass  this  ♦  woman  and  baby- 
business '  over  to  the  ladies.  My  wife's  quite  good 
at  keeping  up  correspondence  for  her  people,  and 
if  you  like,  she'll  write  to  the  little  boy's  mistress 
for  your  wife." 

"  i'hat  suits  my  mind,  now,  Colonel,"  said  Mrs. 
Huggins.  "  I  was  never  in  favor  of  hidiil'  up  the 
letter.  Now,  Huggins,  you  give  it  to  madam,  and 
she'll  write  and  get  a  letter  back;  and  that'U 
make  my  little  woman  mighty  happy,"  she  added 
kindly. 

Dave  began  to  feel  in  his  almost  unfathomable 
pocket.  He  brought  out  treasures  by  the  handful ; 
lumps  of  tobacco,  chalk,  nails,  twine,  buttons,  sus^ 
pender-buckles,  jack-knife,  gimlet  and  screw-driver. 
He  coolly  remarked,  as  ho  poured  them  out  on  the 
table,  « If  a  man  don't  carry  about  his  things  with 


dm 


: ■ 1 


136 


OUT  OP  THE   WILDBHINESS. 


him  he  never  has  'ein  when  he  wants  'em.  Well, 
that  letter  aint  here !  "  and  to  prove  it  he  turned 
his  jiocket  inside  out.  "  I  must  'a'  lit  my  pipe 
with  it." 

Tlie  letter  was  gone  ;  and  as  a  last  hope  of  get- 
ting a  clew  to  the  boy,  Madam  Leon  took  the  name 
of  Degrow's  overseer,  and  promised  Mrs.  Huggins, 
who  really  seemed  interested  in  the  matter,  to 
write  to  him  for  the  gentleman's  address.  * 

She  wrote,  and  the  reply  was,  "  The  gentleman's 
name  was  either  Jones,  or  Smith,  or  Hill,  or  Hall, 
or  some  such  short  name ;  but  the  town  and  county 
I've  quite  forgot."  And  again  oblivion  closed  over 
the  hopes  of  the  poor  lonely  Weza. 

After  this,  the  dullness  of  Weza's  life  on  that 
plantation  was  broken  only  by  an  occasional  chat 
with  a  passing  slave  or  a  long  tramp  to  quarterly 
meeting.  All  intercourse  with  the  Colonel's  ser- 
vants had  l)cen  forbidden,  and  the  acquaintance 
with  Zack  broken  up  by  Huggins'  repeated  threat 
of  selling  her.  He  had  either  a  terrible  dislike  or 
an  unconquerable  fear  of  the  fclluw,  and  after  he 
got  his  gun  back,  sent  word  to  *'  Massa  Leon  "  to 
keep  him  at  home,  or  he'd  have  liim  shut  up  for 
trespassing.  Now  and  then,  after  Zack  had  been 
to  "the  river"  transacting  business,  the  little 
woman  would  receive  through  Obcd,  a  gay  turban, 


— ,— — ~«.».a;:'SMcr"-- 


ORrUT  EVENTS. 


187 


a  pair  of  sho'es,  or  a  big  sugar  heart  covered  with 
silver  spangles;  but  she  had  to  hide  the  delicati 
love-tokeus,  aud  so  could  not  enjoy  displaying 
them  even  in  her  own  narrow  circle. 

One  morning,  to  her  amazement,  she  saw  the 
offensive  visitor  walk  up  very  boldly  towards  the 
house  and    tap  at  the  door.     Huggins  himself 
opened  it,  when  Zack  stepped  in.    Taking  off  his 
hat,  he   politely  asked    Mrs.  Huggins,  who  sat 
smokmg  in  her  «  cheer,"  «  Mought  yer  little  brown 
woman  and  de  men  go  to  de  camp-meetin'  seven 
miles  off,  widMassa  Leon's  people?    Mammy  Cleo  . 
and  heaps  more  of  our  way  o'  thinkin',  dat  has  no 
preachin'  'bout  dese  parts,  is  goin'  to  have  a  three 
days  preachin'  wid  de  communion  and  a  baptism, 
like  de  real  Jordan   kind,  in  de  old  grove  on  de' 
judge's   plantation.    Massa  Leon's    give  all    his 
l.eople  dat  loves  de  Lord  leave  to  go  up  and  praise 
him  wid  de  heart  and  de  voice.    He  'lows  me  to 
take  de  big  lumber  wagon  and  de  mules  to  drive  de 
women  and  chil'en.     Missus  said  she'd  take  it  as  a 
compelment  if  yer'd  let  Weza  go  one  day,  at  least, 
with  our  women." 

"  She  may  go,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  from  the 
side  of  the  pipe, "  for  yer  missus'  sake,  for  I  sha'n't 
soon  forget  the  honor  she  done  me  by  that  visit." 

"We'll   have   that  party   business  over   agin, 


iii»i«iWMIIilillM>|iillhi^ 


138 


OCT  OF  THE  .WILDERNESS. 


then,"  grumbled  Dave,  "and  all  my  frettin'  and 
3boldia'  will  be  to  do  over  agin ;  for  comiiany  a 
ruuuiu'  I  won't  have." 

"  Tell  ycr  missas  my  woman  may  go,  but  I  can't 
say  about  the  boys ;  that'll  be  as  their  master 
says,"  remarked  Mrs.  Huggins,  as  if  she  had  not 
heard  her  husband's  objections. 

"  Yer  don't  know  what  yer  believe,"  said  Dave 
to  Zack.  ''The  'ligion  that  gets  up  the  biggest 
noise  is  the  'ligion  for  ycr." 

"  Massa  Huggins,  I  knows  what  I  b'lieves  and 
why  I  b'lieves  it,"  replied  the  man. 

"  Well,  ihen,  let  me  hear  yer  say  yer  creed," 
said  Dave.  ■  -.    . 

"  Haint  got  no  creed,  massa." 

"  Haint  got  no  creed  ?  Then  how  on  arth  do 
yer  know  what  to  believe  ?  "  asked  Dave. 

"  I  believe  just  what  de'Lord  said,  no  more,  no 
lecis ;  and  I's  bound  to  follow  whar  he  leads,  if  it  be 
through -fire  and  flood,"  replied  Zack  boldly. 

"  But  yer  haint  got  larnin'  like  a  parson,  to 
know  what  the  Bible  means,"  said  Dave,  warming 
up  with  the  spirit  of  controversy. 

"  Massa,"  ro[)lied  Zack,  "  my  Lord  tells  me  dat 
his  orders  is  so  plain  dat  a  wayfarin'  man,  do' 
a  fool,  can't  miss  'cm.  I  s'pose  I'm  a  '  wayfarin' 
man,'  though  I  don't  profess  to  be  a  fool.    I  tell 


'ktte^ 


GREAT  EVENTS. 


189 


n'  and 
pany  a 

I  can't 

master 

lad  not 

id  Dave 

biggest 

eves  and 
•  creed," 


th  do 


ar 


more,  no 
8,  if  it  be 

Birson,  to 
warming 

\s  me  dat 
I  man,  do' 
wayfarin' 
ol.    I  tell 


yer  what  I  told  my  dear  missus  ^ast  Sunday  night ; 
dcre's  more  danger  of  folks  losin'  heaven  through 
larnin'  den  through  ignorance.  De  wise  of  dis 
world  gets  so  sot  up  by  dere  larnin'  dat  dey  thinks 
dey's  got  ahead  of  de  Master  liisself.  Yer  don't 
ketch  dem  wise  ones  when  dey's  sick  goin'  to  Jor- 
dan to  wash  and  be  clean.  No,  no.  Dey  has 
"rivers  of  dere  own  dat's  better  den  his  Jordan  ;  so 
dey  turns  dere  back  on  him  and  sets  up  on  dere 
own  hook  ;  and  fine  work  dey  makes  on't,  too." 

"  Then  yer  go  agin  larnin'  as  well  as  creeds  in 
yer  'ligion,  ha  ?  "  jwked  Dave,  now  a  champion  for 
theological  education. 

No,  sir,  I  only  goes  agin  false  larnin'  dat 
makes  men  wiser  den  God.  Our  brother  Paul  dat 
was  a  great  larned  scholar,  said, '  My  larnin'  has 
not  made  me  mad,  most  noble  Festus  ; '  but  desis 
proud  Pharisees  'bout  us  can't  say  it." 

*'  Well,  well,  Zack,  1  think  there's  'ligions  enough 
in  the  world  now  without  yer  black  folks  settin'  up 
a  new  one,"  said  Dave. 

Zack  laughed  outright.  "  Why,  Massa  Hug- 
gins,"  he  said,  "  My  'Hgion's  de  oldest  Christian 
'hgion  dat  is.  'Tis  de  one  dat  Jesus  and  his 
'postles  sot  up,  and  men's  been  tryin'  and  tryin'  to 
improve  on't  ever  since,  but  dey  can't  make  it  out. 


i'' 


ia...-^  .^-.^^^.jr.^.^^^j^ 


igiiiim' ' 


140 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


f' 


I 


It  has  as  many  white  folks  as  blacks  belongin'  to 
it." 

"  Pho ! "  cried  Dave,  scornfully.  ''  It's  mighty 
likely  if  yer  Uigion  was  as  old  as  that,  that  I 
shouldn't  'a'  come  across  it  some'er's.  I've  lived 
in  Kentuck',  and  Oeorgy,  and  Alabam',  and  here  ; 
and  every  body  1  knew  was  always  Presbyterians, 
or  Mcthodis',  or  Church-a-Englanders  —  (except 
black  folks ;  and  do  yer  s'pose  they  know  more'n 
their  owners  'bout  the  Bible  ? " 

"  Mought  be  they  do,"  replied  Zack'  "  for  dee 
things  is  hid  up  from  de  wise  and  prudent,  and  is 
revealed  to  babes, —  babes  mean  unlarned  folks. 
O,  Massa  Huggius,  if  yer  would  only  come  to  de 
camp-meetin'  yerself  and  missus,  yer  might  get  a 
blessin'  to  yer  own  souls.  Jesus,  de  Master,  will 
sure  be  dere,  and  whoever  comes  will  have  a  chance 
to  touch  de  hem  of  his  garment ;  and  dat  touch 
takes  away  sickness,  and  sori'ow,  and  sin,  and 
changes  poor  weak  sinners  into  shiniu'  saints,  and 
lifts  dem  up  to  a  throne." 

"  S'pose  there  will  bo  any  white  folks  there  ? " 
asked  Dave. 

*'  Sartiu  !  Missus  herself  is  goin',  and  so  is  her 
niece  Miss  Julia.  Dey  aint  ashamed  of  de  Lord, 
nor  of  de  poor  of  his  flock,"  said  Zack. 

"  We  mought  shut  up  one  day  and  go,  and  that 


GREAT  EVENTS.     . 


141 


would  save  gcttiii'  any  thing  to  eat  at  home,"  said 
Mrs.  Huggius.  ''If  madam  aint  too  proud  to  go, 
we  needn't"  be." 

"No,"  replied  Dave,  somewhat  softened,  "we 
needn't,  sure ;  and  then  I  could  see  about  them 
mules  the  old  judge  wants  me  to  buy." 

"  Well,  then,  Zack,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  "  make 
my  manners  to  yer  missus,  and  tell  her'  I'll  let  my 
people  go,  and  come  myself  and  bring  the  massa 
with  me.  Tell  her  I  aint  proud  when  it  comes  to 
'ligion; — though  in  every  thing  else  I  holds  myself 
as  good  as  any  other  white  folks." 

"  Well,  thank  yer  both."  said  Zack,  who  saw  that 
Dave  was  bei^g  thrust  rather  too  much  in  the  back 
ground  for  "  de  head  of  the  woman,"  "  and  I'll 
come  here  next  week  and  fix  up  all  yer  carts  and 
harness  and  saddles  and  such  like ;  and  dat'U  make 
up  any  time  yer  people  mought  lose." 

"  Hope  yer  don't  think  I  can't  hire'em  mended  ?  " 
said  Dave,  still  watchful  of  his  dignity. 

"  I  knows  yer  can,  but  I  likes  to  do  a  neighborly 
thing  now  and  den,"  said  Zack  with  a  smile. 

The  vision  of  a  "  gineral  clearin'  up  "  completely 
overcame  Dave's  prejudice,  and  he  was  quite  genial. 
This  encouraged  Zack  to  go  a  step  further. 

"  Den,  sir,"  he  said,  making  a  low  bow,  "  I's  got 
another  message  from  missus.    I'a  mdde  up  my 


1 

i  ', 


iiyri'ttliti 


142 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDEHNESS. 


mind  fur  to  have  a  wife.  De  great  Master,  who 
manage  all  dese  things  for  his  chiren  '^icared  to 
yer  little  brown  woman  in  a  vision-like,  and  showed 
her  me, —  a  great  ugly  black*  fellow  dat  she  was 
'feard  on.  But  he  said, '  See,  he's  got  a  shepherd's 
crook,  and  he'll  help  yer  on  to  glory.'  So,  wid  yer 
leave,  I'll  take  her,  and  do  as  de  great  Massi^say ; 
and  more,  if  ye  aint'too  proud  to  take  this  black 
hand,  I'll  lielp  yer  and  Missus  Uuggins  on  to  glory 
too,  for  I's  got  de  power "  for  de  work  in  my 
soul.     I  feels  it." 

The  sublimity  of  Zack*s  assurance' quite  over- 
came Dave,  and  for  a  moment  he  seemed  stunned 
by  this  strange  patronage. 

<'  I  thought  this  would  be  a  mighty  nice  time  for 
a  weddin'  'mong  all  de  other  ord'nances  of  de  Gos- 
pel. Missus,  who  has  her  people  married  'cordin' 
to  de  Gospel  and  not  slave-fashion,  will  give  Weza 
a  mighty  fine  outfittin'." 

"  Massy ! "  cried  Dave,  who  had  now  collected 
his  senses ;  'Mf  I  lets  yer  marry  her,  next  thing 
ye'll  run  off  together — yer've  got  a  powerful  long 
rope  for  a  slave." 

*'  Dat's  HO,"  said  Zuck,  laughing  heartily ;  "  but 
I  haint  no  object  in  runnin'  off;  and  I'll  risk  dat 
poor  weak  woman  runnin'  off  widout  me.  I's  as 
free  as  I  ^anU  to  be,  and  has  as  many  comforts  as 


4\ 


GREAT  EVENTS. 


14$ 


I  could  am  if  I  lived  in  Besting  or  tlicm  other  free 
plucca.  Here  is  my  hand,  Massa  lluggina,  and 
uiy  word  as  a  man  dat  feai's  de  Lord,  dat  I'll  wait 
till  ho  hring  mo  out  of  dc  wild'neds  wid  a  high 
hand  and  a  mighty  arm,  and  wid  signs  and  woif- 
dcrs  like  he  did  de  chil'cn  of  Israel." 

"  .Somebody'U  marry  her  if  he  don't,"  suggested 
Mrs.  Huggins,  in  aid  of  his  plea ;  "  and  if  they 
live  fur  off  they'll  keep  her  cverlastin'  oneasy." 

''  Dat's  80,  missus,"  said  Zack,  "  and  'tween  you 
and  me,  de  judge's  Noah,  dat  drinks  powerful, 
tellcd  once  dat  he's  bound  to  have  her.  And 
Ab'm.  dat  robs  yer  hin-roost,  he's  mighty  took  up 
wid  her.  Better  gin  her  to  an  honest  man  dat 
fears  de  Lord  and  will  look  out  arter  yer  interests, 
— jnendin'  yer  carts,  and  such  like." 

The  last  motive  was  all-powerful.    "  Thump  yer 
'  cheer,'  missus,"  cried  Dave.    And  in  answer  to* 
the  rude  summons  Weza  appeared,  the  picture  of 
terror,  not  knowing  what  she  was  to  be  accused  of 
now. 

'  "  This  fellow  wants  for  to  marry  yer,  Weza," 
said  Dave,  with  grave  dignity ;   "  and  his  massa  ■ 
and  missus  and  yer'n  has  thought  the  matter  all 
over  and  gin  consent  on  conditions  that  yer,  as  a 
Christian"  —  this  was  Dave's  unfailing  argument 


J 


.Jfi. 


K 


144 


OUT   OP  THE   WILDERNE8H. 


—  "  promiso  mo  that  yor'll  never  run  off  while  I 
own  ycr." 

For  five  minutes  in  her  life  Weza  was  a  white 
woman.  Wherever  her  color  went  to,  it  was 
gone;  and  her  agitation  alarmed  Mrs.  Huggins  so 
that  she  laid  down  her  pipe,  rose  from  her  "  cheer" 
and  brought  her  a  mug  of  water.  "  Poor  thing," 
she  said  kindly,  "  I'm  sorry  for  yer.  Ye  clar  woke 
up  a  frettin'  ai-ter  them  boys." 

Poor  Wcza  soon  got  breath  to  make  the  promise, 
and  to  say  that  now  she  should  have  some  one  to 
help  her  bear  her  "  worry,"  and  that  she  had  taken 
one  step  towards  getting  "  out  of  tbo  wilderness  " 
in  the  Canaan. 

And  the  happy  pair  withdrew  t  ..e  arrange- 
ments for  the  camp-meeting  wedding  and  to  thank 
the  Lord  for  his  help  ;  and  leaving  Dave  to  grumble 
out  his  forebodings,  and  Mrs.  Huggins  to  defend 
them  and  to  prophesy  good  from  the  ^udden  event. 


■f'n''<x 


T  while  I 


,  a  white 
I,  it  was 
uggins  so 
:  "cheer" 
»r  thing," 
clar  woke 

le  promise, 
)rae  one  to 
I  had  taken 
ildemess" 

.e  arrange- 
ad  to  thank 
to  grumble 
9  to  defend 
idden  event. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE   CAMP-MEETING   WEDDING. 

AUR  happy  girls  may  talk  of  silks,  and  lace,  and 
^  jewels,  and  wedding  rings,  and  bridal  presents, 
and  receptions,  and  of  splendid  outfits  in  general 
l«.t  they  can  have  little  idea  of  the  joy  whicli  filled' 
the  heart  of  our  poor,  lonely  W.  .a  on  the  morning 
of  the  camp-meeting,  and  of  the  day  on  which 
"  de  dear,  good  Lord  was  to  give  her  de  best  man 
lie  ever  founded  to  lean  agin." 

The  night  before  the  wedding  day  the  tender- 
hearted Madam  Leon  had  sent  a  little  trunk  over  to 
the  mansion  house  on  Zack's  shoulders.     It  con- 
tained a  turkey-red  dress  and  a  fancy  turban,  with 
a  shawl,  ,  white  apron  and  new  shoes  for  the  oul^ 
fit, -a  complete  supply  of  comfortable   working 
clothes,-thus  making  the  little  creature  happy  for 
the  time.    It  was  wisely  sent  to  "missus"  for 
Weza ;  and  she  took  the  compliment  straight  home 
to  her  own  heart,  and  then  formally  presented  the 
gilts. 

141 


=amm 


itf 


146 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


That  blessed  sun  rose  at  lengtli,  and  the  bride 
elect,  having  given  massa  and  missus  their  break- 
fast and  prepared  their  dinner,  that  the  latter  need 
not  rise  from  her  "  cheer  "  to  do  it,  was  dressed  in 
her  fiery  -array  and  waiting  in  the  door  for  the 
sound  of  wheels.  As  a  mark  of  special  esteem, 
Mrs.  Huggins  had  lent  her  the  pocket  handker- 
chief, the  parasol  and  the  fan,  all  of  which  fancy 
articles  the  innocent  creature  held  in  her  hands  as 
part  of  her  outfit. 

"  Weza,"  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  in  a  whining  tone, 
"  my  heart  sinks  now  fear  yer'U  leave  mo  some 
time  with  that  free  man,  and  then  I  mought  as 
well  die  as  not." 

"  Missus,  I'll  stick  to  yer  for  life  'less  de  good 
Lord  in  massy  sends  me  freedom ;  and  I'll  luve 
yer  while  I  lives  for  lettin'  me  off  d^se  days.  And, 
missus  dear,  do  try  to  get  massa  over  to  de  camp- 
ground to-morrbw,  and  get  his  soul  saved  as  well  as 
yer  own ;  for,  happy  and  prosperous  and  proud  as 
I  is  dis  day,  dere's  joy  in  'ligion  dat  beats  all  dis.'* 

"  Hark,  Weza !  I  hears  wheels,"  said  Mrs. 
Huggins  ;  "  I  must  go  to  the  window  to .  see  you 
t>flf ;  "  this  was  her  sacrifice  in  the  matter. 

A  jovial  company  it  was  that  filled  the  lumber- 
wagon  and  set  up  a  shout  of  welcome  as  Weza 
came  towards  them,  escorted  on  one  side  by  Obed 


lW(WT!Willl 


the  bride 
lieir  break- 
latter  need 
,  dressed  in 
or  for  the 
jial  esteem, 
5t  handker- 
yhich  fancy 
ler  hands  as 

hining  tone, 

jQ  mo  some 

mought  as 

ess  de  good 
md  I'll  luve 
days.    And, 
to  de  camp- 
ed as  well  as 
md  proud  as 
eats  all  dis." 
said   Mrs. 
to .  see  you 
tter. 

the  lumber- 
,me  as  Weza 
side  by  Obed 


THE  CAMF-MBEn:iNO  WFDDINQ. 


147 


on  the  white  horse,  and  oij  the  other  by  the  stiff- 
knoed  boy  on  foot.  Zack,  who,  perched  on  a 
high  seat,  drove  the  mules,  invited  Weza  to  sit  be- 
side him,  but  she  declined,  and  the  women  all  said 
she  must  "  have  her  own  way  dis  time,  'cause  it 
was  de  last  time  in  de  world."  When  she  was 
seated  on  the  corn-husks  among  the  others,  Mam- 
my Cleo,  who  occupied  a  little  rocking  chair  to 
case  the  jarring,  gave  orders  to  "  unkiver  dat  ar 
corn-basket  and  show  Weza  what  missus  and  Miss 
Juley  done  for  her  honor  and  glory  dis  day." 

The  basket  was  uncovered,  and  there  was  dis- 
played a  most  gorgeously  ornamented  wedding 
cake.  Two  white  sugar  doves  in  most  tender 
proximity,  with  pink  chenille  around  their  necks, 
and  silver  feathers  on  their  wings,  surmounted  it. 
Beneath  this  bride's  cake  was  a  heap  of  pie,  and 
gingerbread  and  apples,  and  Weza  was  informed 
that  three  other  baskets  were  as  well  filled,  "  for 
missus  meant  to  set  zamples  to  de  barbarous 
plantere  'round  'bout  how  dey  ought  to  deal  wid 
dere  people,  like  dey  was  born  of  de  same  blood 
as  dereselves,  and  had  a  right  to  be  married  as 
pure,  and  holy  and  'spectablo  as  if  dey  was  free 
and  white." 

"  Yes,  yes,"  cried  Zack,  looking  down  from  his 
high  perch,  with  his  ivories  glistening  in  the  sun- 


•i 


148 


ODT  OF  THB  WILDERNESS. 


light,  <'Dat  same  missus  is  a  bright  and  shinin' 
li^ht  unto  de  Gentiles ;  and  through  iier  de  thorns 
and  de  nails  is  took  oat  of  slavery  on  dat  planta- 
tion as  far  as  dey  can  be  while  de  cuss  lasts 
anywhar.  Now,  fricuds,  set  up  de  song  of  jubilee, 
and  sing  it  right  smart,  and  bymeby,  when  dis 
business  is  over,  we'll  sing  de  marriage  song  wid 
de  shout  of  '  Glory  Hallelujah'  onto  it." 

"Preaciiin'  Jack,"  whose  deep,  earnest  piety 
had  brought  down  many  a  blessing  on  his  master's 
house,  and  who  had  in  his  simple  way  led  Madam 
Leou  to  the  cross,  had  now  grown  very  old.  His 
abundant,  crispy  hair  was  like  snow;  his  form 
tottered  and  his  vpice  trembled ;  but  his  hair  was 
a  crown  of  glory,  and  his  remaining  strength  of 
limb  and  voice  was  still  used,  as  it  had  long 
been,  for  tiie  glory  of  God.  His  day  of  toil  was 
over,  and  he  was  now  enjoying  such  peace  and 
rest  as  God  giveth  his  beloved  when  the  shadows 
gather  about  them.  His  owner,  in  justice  —  he 
thoughtMn  generosity  —  had  provided  him  with  a 
little  cabin  to  himself,  and  his  fellow  slaves  felt 
it  an  honor  to  minister  to  his  few  wants.  Before 
the  early  bell  rang  for  labor  old  Jack  always  sat 
in  his  doer  with  clasped  hands  ;  and  such  as  could 
do  so,  halted  a  moment  on  their  way  to  the  6eld, 
and  knelt  on  the  grass  while  be  uttered  a  prayer 


■•Mi 


THE  CAMP-MEETIKO  WEDDING.  . 


149 


slunin' 
thoriiB 
plantar 
33  lasts 
jubilee, 
heu  dis 
ong  wid 

!st  piety 
master's 
1  Madam 
old.    His 
his  form 
hair  was 
length  of 
had  long 
f  toil  was 

cace  and 
shadows 
Istice — lie 
iim  with  a 
plaves  felt 
Before 

always  sat 

Ih  as  could 
the  field, 

id  a  prayer 


for  them  and  cpmmcndcd  them  to  the  dear  Lord. 
And  in  the  evening,  when  toil  was  over,  he  held 
"  [Hjrpetual  prayer  meetin'  "  in  his  cabin.  Never 
a  night  but  a  score  or  more  of  dusky  forms  were 
gathered  there  to  hear  of  heaven  and  to  praise 
Uim  who  had  opened  its  shining  doors  for  tliem. 
These  little  meetings  were  the  subject  of  sport  to 
the  young  folks  in  their  masters'  families,  and  of 
very  little  account  abroad.  But  among  the  lowly 
group  there  walked  One  unseen  by  their  poor 
vision,  sliedding  abroad  his  gifts  of  patience  and 
peace  and  joy  ;  One  whom — had  they  known  him 
and  tlieir  need  of  his  pity  —  the  masters  would 
have  entreated  to  turn  aside  and  abide  with  them. 

It  was  firmly  believed  among  all  the  blacks,  and 
by  not  a  few  of  their  owners,  that  Preachin'  Jack 
had  power  to  bring  Jesus  down  whenever  he  called 
upon  him,  and  many  instances  were  related,  in 
good  faith,  where  dying  men  and  women  had  been 
raised  up  from  the  hour  that  Jack  had  called  on 
the  Master  in  their  behalf. 

He  had,  therefore,  become  a  sort  of  bishop  over 
the  blacks  of  the  region,  and  any  especial  honor 
they  had  to  bestow  was  considered  as  his  just 
due. 

Madam  Leon  felt  a  tender  love  for  the  old  man 
who  had  tauglit  her  that  wisdom  to  which  the 


:     -..-.^  .^■■^-.        .^.w.--^.. 


^, —-,-«.»•.  l^' 


I 


160 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


proud  world  cannot  stoop.  "  Zack,"  she  8oid,  on 
the  morning  of  the  camp-meeting,  "  I  want  Father 
Jack  to  marry  you.  There  will  be  plenty  of  noisy 
fellows  there  who  will  talk,  and  shout,  and  make 
a  great  show  of  themselves,  and  who  may  seem  to 
you  better  men  for  the  ceremony.  But  I  want  you 
to  have  this  old  man's  blessing  as  you  start  anew 
iu  life.  You  may  depend,  Zack,  that  his  prayers 
will  avail  much  in  getting  that  little  woman  out 
of  the  wilderness  she  talks  so  much  about  and  in 
helping  you  both  on  toward  heaven." 

A  "  black  camp-meeting  "  was  a  new  thing,  and 
all  who  had  "  a  gift "  —  and  many  who  hadn't  — 
had  come  to  talk  and  preach.  But  old  Jack  was 
bishop,  and  when  a  good  number  had  gathered,  he 
called  them  to  order,  saying,  "  I'll  'pint  myself 
moderate  of  dis  meetin'  and  give  cmt  de  articles  of 
faith  by  which  I  means  to  rule  it.  I  shall  preach 
de  first  sarmon  myself,  and  it  shall  be  Christ  and 
him  crucified.  Den  iu  de  evening  I  shall  commit 
de  ceremony  of  marriage  in  de  legal  form  and 
covenant.  Dat  was  de  first  place  whar  a  miracle 
was  performed,  when  water  was  turned  to  wine ; 
but  we  has  a  greater  miracle  here  —  we  don't 
want  no  wine !  To-morrow  some  other  brother 
may  preach ;  Dave  Montgomery,  if  he  walks 
humble  in  de  mean  time,  and  don't  tip  his  hat  on 


1 


tmmmmm 


J_^ 


said,  on 
;  Father 
of  noisy 
id  make 
seem  to 
rant  you 
art  anew 
I  prayers 
sman  out 
it  and  in 

hing,  and 
hadn't— 
Jack  was 
therod,  he 
myself 
irticles  of 
il  preach 
imst  and 
11  commit 
form  and 
a  miracle 
to  wine; 
vre  don  t 
er  brother 
he   walks 
lis  hat  on 


THE  CAMP-MBEnNO  WEDDING. 


one  side  his  head ;  or  defe  Sam,  if  he'll  promise 
not  to  preach  hissclf  'stead  o'  de  Master,  —  as  he 
UBual  does.  But  Joe  Simpson  and  Phil  Hunter  I 
puts  out  of  do  ministry  altogetlior,  'cause  on  ac- 
count of  dere  stealin'  poultry  from  dere  massas. 
True,  dey  says, '  Massa'  takes  all  my  time  and 
powers  and  only  gives  me  what  dc  hosses  and 
mules  has,  —  feed.'  True,  brothers  and  sisters  ; 
but  daVsfor  dere  masters  to  settle  on  dere  oum  *  count 
wid  de  great  Massa.  We's  de  light  of  de  world, 
and  we's  got  to  set  zamples  o'  holy  livin',  'voidin' 
de  'pearance  of  evil.  De  day  o'  reckonin'  is  a 
comin',  I  sees  it  wid  dcse  dim  old  eyes ;  and  dere 
will  be  business  enougli  for  dc  Judge  'mong  de 
miglity,  de  ricli  and  de  larned,  widout  yer  poor, 
ignorant  black  folks  takin'  up  his  time.  No  man 
sliali  preach  to  dis  meetin'  dat  don't  live  up  'ligion 
in  de  Bold  and  in  de  kitclien,  as  well  as  in  de  meet- 
in  ;  and  no  man  shall  preach  dat  don't  think  more 
of  Christ  den  he  thinks  of  hisself.  Now,  chil'en, 
dese  two  days  is  gin  to  God,  and  see  if  yer  can't 
get  hold  of  de  skirts  of  his  garments  by  faith,  so  as 
to  fetch  him  down  to  us.  We'll  know  he's  here, 
for  we'll  smell  de  myrrh  and  frankincense  in  his 
robes,  and  we'll  taste  do  honey  from  do  lulls  and 
de  grapes  from  Canaan.  We'll  hear  de  music  of 
heaven  when  de  doors  opens  to  let  hit#  out ;  and 


»>i|l,iiili  '*.»lW[iy»jiJiir^'jp|M^^^  III  ir jijliniiii  iij  1 1. ,  I  ij  I « igtliiigMjjjjgigjtigljjl^^ 


152 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


we'll  see  de  glory  iu  our  souls  if  not  round  dis  here 
grove. 

"  Now  sing  of  Calvary.  Oh,  dat's  de  place  dat 
makes  de  heart  ache  and  de  tears  flow.  Sing  of 
de  dark  night  when  our  backslidin'  brothers  fell 
asleep  and  left  Jesus  to  fight  alone  wid  de  powers  o' 
darkness.  I'm  ashamed  of  'em,  and  my  tears  falls 
in  de  dark  night  to  think  of  derc  meanness,  and  I 
can't  hardly  forgive  'em  yet  to  go  desart  my  loyin* 
Master  dat  way  'stead  o'  standin'  shoulder  to 
shoulder  wid  him  agin  do  devil.  But  take  care, 
take  care,  old  Jack,  ycr  only  mortal  yerself,  and 
mought  a  done  the  same.  Ye  mought  even  have 
said  wid  Peter, '  I  never  knowed  de  man.'  Thank 
de  Lord,  brothers  and  sisters,  dat  yer  haint  been 
left  to  yer  Own  selves  for  salvation,  but  dat  de 
Lord  has  provided  one  mighty  to  save  unto  de 
uttermost  all  dat  calls  on  him.  Lets  us  hel^  to 
make  up  dat  all." 

"  Now  sing  till  de  rocks  ring  and  de  trees  of 
Labanon  clap  dere  hands  wid  de  swellin'  dereof. 
Sing  up,  as  if  it  was  yer  last  chance  dis  side  o' 
glory ! "    And  they  did  his  bidding. 

"Db  very  night  He  was  betrayed, 
He  went  a  little  way  and  prayed; 
De  sleepy  'ciplee  dvy  lay  duwa 
^   To  rest  demiielve!)  u|ion  do  ground; 

Chonu.  —  I'll  let  ycr  know  befbre  I  go, 
Whetlmr  I  love  de  Lord  or  not 


THE  CAHP-HEETINO  WEDDWa. 


158 


dis  here 

)lace  dat 
Sing  of 
hers  fell 
)0wer8  o' 
ears  falls 
88,  and  I 
aay  loyin' 
ulder    to 
ake  care, 
rself,  and 
iven  have 
,'    Thank 
aint  been 
it  dat  de 
)  unto  de 
18  help  to 

trees  of 
in'  dereof. 
118  side  o' 


"  If  I'd  been  dero  like  lovin'  John, 
I'd  leiui  my  head  His  breast  upon; 
Nor  like  old  Peter  broke  my  word, 
Like  if  I  didn't  love  de  Lord. 
I'll  let  yer  know  before  I  go, 
Wheth,er  I  love  de  Lord  or  no ! 

"I  loves  Him  wid  my  deepest  soul, 
I  loves  Him  part,  I  loves  Him  whole! 
I  loves  His  prison  and  His  grave, 
I  loves  Him  mighty  for  to  save ! 

And  now,  my  brothers,  I've  lot  ydr  know 

Whether  I  love  de  Lord  or  no ! 

I  love,  I  love,  I  love  Him  so. 

To  glory  now  I  wants  to  go!" 

The  forest  echoed  back  some  twenty  verses  of 
this  hymn,  each  new  one  pledging  the  singers 
more  firmly  to  love  the  Lord,  and  carrying  their 
zeal  up  till  they  were  ready  to  cut  loose  and  soar 
away  from  earth. 

"  Now,  chil'en,"  cried  Preaching  Jack, "  I's  goin' 
for  to  preach  to  yer,  and  most  like  it'll  be  de  last 
sarmon  I  ever  utters,  for  de  bosses  and  de  chariot 
wid  de  hossmen  dereof  is  just  overhead,  and  I's 
every  day  a  listenin'  for  de  rumble  of  de  wheels. 
My  text  dis  day  is  one  word  Chbist.  De  sarmon 
will  have  three  heads  onto  it.  D|^  first  is  Christ, 
dc  Rocond  is  Christ,  and  de  third  is  Christ.  I 
liaHii't  heard  nothin',  nor  felt  nothin',  nor  loved 
uothiu'  for  many  a  year  but  Christ  ;  and  I's  not 


ImI 


154 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


coming  down  now  to  meaner  things.  He's  de 
chief  among  ten  thousand  and  do  altogether . 
lovely,  and  if  any  of  yer's  got  grand  and  wants  a 
grander  'ligion  yer  can  quit  dis  grove  'fore  I  be- 
gins, for  yer'U  get  nothin'  here  but  de  old,  old 
story,  dat  will  be  talked  and  sung  arter 

'  We've  been  dere  ten  thonaand  yun, 
Bright  sbinin'  m  de  sun.' 

"  Now  I's  ready  for  to  Ibgin  do  story  dat  makes 
de  angels  stare  and  hold  dere  breath  in  wonder ; 
and  mind,  I  don't  'low  no  whisperin'  in  sarmon 
time,  and  no  bowin',  nor  smilin',  nor  wiukin*  to 
each  other;  but  all  to  be  circumspectable  and 
sober  minded,  like  dey  knew  whose  presence  dey 
was  in." 

And  old  Jack  preached ;  find  we  can  say  for  him 
what  can't  be  said  of  all  wise  ministers  of  the 
Word,  he  stuck  to  his  text.  He  brought  forward 
Jesus  in  the  prophets,  Jesus  in  the  manger,  Jesus 
in  the  miracles,  Jesus  persecuted  and  betrayed, 
Jesus  crucified  and  slain,  Jesus  risen  and  alive, 
and  to-day  reigning  in  glory  and  yet  dwelling  in 
the  lowliest  heart.  It  was  a  sermon  which  drew 
tears  from  the  eyes  and  groans  from  the  hearts  of 
his  humble  hearers.  Now  and  then  one  of  the 
more  excitable  among  them  would  swoon,  causing 


THE  CAMP-MEEIINO   WEDDING. 


155 


Ic's  de 
ogctlier  V 
wants  a 
re  I  be- 
old,  old 


at  makes 
wonder ; 
L  sarmon 
rinkitt*  to 
;able  and 
jence  dey 

y  for  him 
re  of  tlie 
t  forward 
ger,  Jesus 
betrayed, 
and  alive, 
elling  in 
|bich  drew 
hearts  of 
me  of  the 
in,  causing 


a  great  tumult.  Tlicre  was  leaping,  and  shouting, 
and  shaking  of  hands,  mingled  with  the  singing  of 
impromptu  lines  as : 

"  When  old  Peter  wm  ainkin'  down, 
De  Mkvin'  power  to  him  was  shown ! 
Keep  me  Ax>m  sinkin'  down ! 

De  chntch  was  built  when  de  angels  moaii|^— 
'Twas  Jesus  lay  de  comer  stonei 

Keep  me  from  sinkin' down!         .  '  -  '    >   'j 

O,  what  yisions  has  I  seen — 
Wid  His  blood  He  washed  me  clean; 
Keep  me  firom  sinkin'  down! 

De  shinin*  doors  is  open  flung, 
Our  souls  is  into  glory  brung, — 
We're  safe  from  sinkin'  down  I 

O  glory,  O  glory,  O  gloiy ! 

We's  got  de  Master's  hand! 
Whoever  sinks,  our  fcet  is  fixed 

On  Zion's  mount  to  stand." 

• 

After  the  second  sermon,  the  text  and  headif 
of  which  were  the  same  as  the  first,  there  was  a 
great  scattering  of  the  hearers  who  lived  near  by. 
They  hastened  away  to  ask  leave  **  for  to  come 
back  to  de  torchlight  weddin'."  The  intermission 
was  spent  in  singing  aud  ohouting  and  praying  and 
exhorting.  As  soon  as  tlie  stars  were  out,  the 
Leon  women  spread  their  dainties  on  a  loose  barn 
door  which  the  judge's  people  had  provided,  and 


iij  mil  I  I'l.n 


jiiliiHiUXMlli 


: ,,  iihiijiiiii^ 


156 


OUT  OF  THK  WILDEBNESS. 


"  all  de  near  'lations  "  —  which  meant  every  body 
that  knew  Zack  and  his  fellow  servants,  for  Weza 
was  a  stranger — gathered  around  the  board. 
High  torches  blazed  from  each  corner  of  the  table 
and  from  a  keg  in  the  centre,  while  the  whole  was 
graced  by  gaudy  garden  flowers  and  laden  with 
Madam  Leon's  bounty.  Father  Jack  and  the  other 
preachers  were  to  be  seated  on  barrels  at  each  end 
of  the  table,  to  "  say  blessin'  and  to  sarve." 

Then  all  the  guests  stood  up  in  a  group,  and 
Preachin'  Jack,  with  both  liands  extended,  stud, 
"  Yer  twain  dat  wants  to  be  made  one  flesh  in 
zample  of  de  priests  and  proplicts  and  holy  men 
of  old,  and  Sarah  and  Rebekah  and  de  mother 
of  Zebedee's  chiren  and  de  blessed  mother  Mary, 
Stan'  up  afore  me." 

Zack,  dressed  in  coarse  white,  with  a  rainbow 
cravat,  and  Weza,  looking  like  an  animated  holly- 
bock,  came  forward  and  stood  before  him ;  while 
their  friends  formed  a  wide  circle  about  them. 

"Now,  chil'en,"  said  the  old  man,  "take  hold 
of  hands,  while  I  pledge  yer  to  mutual  obedience. 
I  will  now  make  a  few -desolatory  and  purile  re- 
marks on  matrimony  in  general,  and  dis  case 
of  it  in  particular."  And  he  did  so,  beginning  at 
Adam  and  Eve,  and  coming  down  to  the  present 
day  and  hour.    "  AH  dem  zamples  of  holy  men 


mmm 


H 


THB  CAMF-MEETINO  WEDDING. 


157 


ry  body 
r  Weza 
board, 
le  table 
lole  was 
jn  with 
he  other 

iach  end 

» 

)up,  and 
ed,  sud, 
flesh  in 
loly  men 
)  mother 
er  Mary, 

rainbow 
cd  holly- 
while 
em. 

ake  hold 
bedience. 
)urile  re- 
dis  case 
inning  at 
present 
loly  men 


and  women  has  sarvcd  dcrc  day  and  gincration 
and  fell  asleep.  It  is  wid  yen  dat's  alive  and 
awake  dat  I's  got  for  to  deal  now.  Zack  Cameron, 
docs  ycr  promise  me  hero,  afore  do  Lord  and  dis 
yore  heap  of  witnesses,  for  to  love,  honor  and  obey 
de  woman  you  holds  on  to  by  de  right  hand? 
Ila  ? " 

"  Yes,  fatlicr,  I  does  promise  dat  and  as  much 
more  as  yer  pleases  to  ax  me,"  replied  Zack,  hold- 
ing his  head  very  high. 

"  Will  yer  promise  to  be  de  head  of  her  as  our 
great  Master  is  head  of  de  church  ?    Ha  ?  " 

"  I  will,  to  de  best  of  my  'bility,  sar." 

♦'  Will  yer  promise  to  live  wid  her  —  if  ever  yer 
get  a  chance  to — and  wid  no  other  woman  till 
death  do  yer  sunderate  ?  " 

*?  "  Yes,  dat  I  will,  and  longer  too,  father,"  replied 
Zack,  "  for  I  hopes  to  live  wid  her  whar  no  man 
can  separate  us,  in  do  house  above,  in  do  great 
family  of  de  dear  Lord,  dat  we  both  loves  and 
strives  humble  to  sarve." 

"Well,  dat's  all  very  good,"  replied  the  old 
patriarch,  "but  yer  mustn't  talk  so  much  while 
I'm  a  marryin'  of  yer,  or  I  shan't  get  through 
to>night. 

"  On  t'other  hand,  Louisa  Huggins,  do  yer 
promise  to  take  dis  big  fellow  dat  yer  holds  on  to 


158 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


by   de   right  hand  for  to  be  yer  lawful  married 
husband  ?  " 

Poor  Weza's  heart  had  wandered  from  the  scene 
where  all  were  gay  and  happy,  and  she  was  "  off 
in  de  wilderness  "  hunting  up  her  boys  and  accus- 
ing herself  of  giving  her  love  to  another.  She 
burst  into  tears  and  made  no  reply. 

*'  Pardon  her,  father,"  said  Zack,  pitifully,  "  for 
she's  only  a  poor  weak  woman."  • 

"  Well,  well,"  exclaimed  old  Jack,  "  women's 
mighty  strange  things,  any  way.  Pcy'll  comyash 
sea  and  laud  for  to  get  a  husband,  and  den  when 
dey  got  him  fast  by  de  hand  afore  de  altar,  dey'U 
bust  out  cryin'  'sif  somebody  was  marryin'  'em 
off  agin  doro  will '  Come,  wipe  yer  eyes  now,  and 
look  up  br:,Tht,  little  woman,  for  wid  such-like  a 
man  for  a  hupbaiid  yer  can  l^ok  any  body  in  de 
eye,  anf^  "■:  :o  a  frownin'  world.  Leave  de  tears 
and  lb  oighs  for  80  women  dat  can't  get  no  hus- 
bands. E- 36  fv !  aem  dat's  got  bad  ones  and  can't 
get  rid  on  'cm.  I  can  tell  yer  dere's  heaps  0' 
women  here  dat  would  clap  dere  hands  and  laugh 
if  dey  could  be  a  standin'  whar  yer  is  now.  But 
de  dear  Lord,  dat  'fiicted  yer  wid  one  hand,  has 
blessed  yer  wid  de  other,  and  saved  dis  noble  great 
sarviut  of  his  to  fill  a  place  better  den  sons  and 
darters  to  yer.    Now  tell  me  if  yer  will  take  dis 


ttMHtt 


THE  CABtP-MKETINO  WEDDIKO. 


169 


man  for  yer  lawful  married  husband?  'Case  if 
ycr  don't  want  him,  I'll  stop  short  hero ;  for  it 
takes  two  to  make  a  bargain." 

"  I  willj-sar,"  sobbed  ^Weza,  "  wid  all  my  heart, 
and  I  thanks  de  Lord  for  do  chance.  Dese  tears  is 
'bout  my  boys  d^t's  off  som'eres  in  de  wild'noss 
whar  I  can't  get 'em."    .'    •  ""•'•'.'.'  ••..'»      v. 

"  God  bless  yer  poor  heart !  He  owns  de  wild'- 
noss and  de  waste  places,  and  has  an  eye  on  all 
dat's  gropin'  'bout  in  'em.  He's  got  cfem  boys  by 
do  hand  —  a  leadin'  of  'em  round,  and  bymeby, 
when  he's  ready,  he'll  fetch  'cm  to  yer.  But  yer 
look  out  how  yer  fight  agin  liim  or  he'll  lead  yer 
about  forty  years,  like  d6  chil'en  of  Israel,  afore  ho 
gives  yer  de  blessin'.  But  I've  wandered  from  my 
subject.  Will  yer  promise  to  love,  honor,  and  obey 
dis  man,  and  to  live  wid  him  as  de  laws  directs, 
and  wid  no  other  man,  till  death  do  yer  sun- 
derate  ? " 

"  I  will,  sar,  and  thank  de  Lord  for  givin'  me 
such  a  strong  arm  to  lean  agin  in  my  weakness," 
said  Weza. 

"  Dat's  good,  den,  so  fur,"  said  preaching  Jack ; 
"  and  now,  'fore  I  pronounces  de  bands,  let  me  ax 
if  either  of  yer  has  any  remarks  to  make  to  de 
company  ? " 

Weza  shook  her  head,  but  Zack  smiled  and  re- 


icMh 


.»-& 


160 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


plied,  "  I  got  nothing  to  say  but  to  raise  my 
Ebenczer,  and  thank  de  good  Lord  for  my  luck, 
and  to  hop?  dat  all  de  boys  will  get  as  good  a  wife, 
and  be  as  kind  to  her  as  I  vows  to  be  to  dis  poor 
Weak  woman."       »  •     ••  ;   ^is-v-*;* 

"  Brothers  and  sisters,"  said  old  Jack,  turring 
about-  to  the  company,  "  if  any  of  yer  has  a  word 
of  exhortin',  or  would  like  ..i  tell  yer  experience, 
I'll  halt  a  little." 

Zack's  cfhick  eye  caught  Dave  Montgomery  in 
the  act  of  beginning,  and  he  cut  him  off  by  saying, 

"  Moughtn't  yer  better  say  the  benediction  first, 
fftther,  and  have  a  prayer-meetin'  arterwards  ? 
Dese  people  all  looks  hungry  to  get  hold  on  de 
weddin'  supper." 

"  Dat's  true,"  replied  the  old  man.  "  Den  in 
virtu  of  dese  mutual  promises  to  love,  honor  and 
obey  each  other  and  do  laws  of  de  land  —  when 
yer  massas  will  'low  yer  to  —  I  declai'e  yer  upon 
heaven  and  arth,  tind  all  dese  witnesses,  for  to  be 
husband  and  wife.  And  de  Gospel  do  saith, 
'  What  God  jines  together  let  no  man  put  assun- 
der ; '  and  I  adds,  of  my  own  wisdom, '  dat  he  .dat 
does  put  dssundor  will  have  to  answer  for  it.' 
Now,  friends,  de  marryin'  is  over,  and  yer  may  all 
kiss  de  bride,  arter  I,  yer  futher  in  de  gospel,  sa- 
lutes her  with  a  holy  kiss.'* 


raise  my 

my  luck, 

)d  a  wife, 

dis  poor 


"'■:H,-*     •VJ.     i'»    '"-  ■'•'<'<—'■>■ '■^k'^ 


■;'^'  .-:MT-r\ 


<'^--ji-  Y" 


vS 


,  tiirrting 
IS  a  word 
^perience, 


;omery  in 
)y  saying, 
tion  first, 
terwards  ? 
)ld  on  de 

"Den  in 

lonor  and 

d  —  when 

rcr  upon 

for  to  be 

do    saith, 

lut  assun- 

at  he.dat 

)r  for  it.' 

ir  may  all 

gospel,  sa- 


CHAPTRR  Xni. 


PBBACHINQ  JACK  AND  SCBIPTUR'   BILL. 


WHEN  the  marriage  ceremony  was  over  and 
the  barque  matrimonial  was  fairly  launched, 
old  Jack  s^d,  by  way  of  an  additional  blessing  on 
the  happy  pair,  "And  now  chil'en,  go  forth  and 
take  yer  place  'mong  de  nations  of  de  'arth,  and 
may  de  blessin'  of  Moses  in  de  bush  rest  upon 
yer  dis  time,  henceforred  and  forever  more." 

There  were  many  little  parties  gathered  in  the 
grove,  each  of  the  number  having  its  own  caterer ; 
and  we  very  much  fear  that  the  hen-roost  and  lar- 
der of  many  a  master  paid  tiibute  to  the  feast. 
Fires  blazed  and  torches  glared ;  the  men  plucked 
and  dissected  the  chickens  —  showing  the  haste  and 
secrecy  which  they  had  brought  them — and  tho 
women  put  on  their  pots  and  cut  bread  and  cake, 
and  bacon  to  fry.  It  looked  like  the  witch  scene 
in  Macbeth. 

But  their  merry  laughter  and  cheerful  chattering 

101 


162 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


dispelled  all  thoughts  of  the  dark  incantatious  of 
sorcery. 

Such  a  feast  was  partaken  of  as  is  rarely  seen  — 
in  style  at  least —  and  then,  under  the  command  of 
Preaching  Jack,  the  tables  were  cleared  and  the 
place  made  "  right  decent  for  a  prayer  meetin'," 
"  None  of  yer  pots  and  kittles  left  standin'  about 
here,  nor  yer  burnt  brands  lyin'  hither  and  yon, 
nor  yer  victuals  left  loose  about ! "  he  cried,  like 
one  having  authority.  "  And  yerseives  must  be 
neat  and  orderly  afore  1  begins.  If  de  President 
of  dese  United  States  was  a  comin'  here  to-night, 
,  what  flutterin'  dere  would  be  to  clar  up  do  place 
and  to  see  dat  every  turban  was  on  straight,  and 
dat  all  de  aprons  was  clean !  And  what  is  de 
President,  whose  bfeath  am  in  his  nostrils,  to  de 
company  dat's  promised  to  be  here  to-night! 
Don't  never  dare  to  come  careless  into  His  pres- 
ence, chil'en.  If  yer  too  poor  to  'pear  before  him 
wid  jewels,  and  purples,  and  tine  linens,  and 
badgers'  skins  —  like  do  temple  of  old  —  yer  never 
too  poor  to  honor  him  wid  neat  dress  and  decent 
places. 

"  Now  'fore  do  meetin'  begins,  I  have  do  honor 
to  'nounce  'fore  dis  'sembled  universe,  dat  Scrip- 
tur'  Bill  will  preach  at  ten  o'clock  to-morrow. 
Obed  Uuggins,  that's  always  goin'  up  and  down 


PREACnmO  JACK  AND  SCRIPTUR'   BILL.        168 

a!U'  *^o  and  fro  in  de  arth,  like  our  great  pergenitor, 
brung  word  —  wherever  he  got  it — that  W9  mought 
suspect  Bill  for  de  mornin'  sarvice !  I  hopes  yer 
will  listen  to  him  wid  reservation  and  respect, 
'cause  he's  a  stranger.  He  comes  to  misrepresent 
de  Methodis'  posuaslon.  Of  course  den  dere's  a 
chance  dat  wid  all  do  truth  he'll  give  us,  he'll  add 
a  little  error !  When  he  speaks  what  yer  b'lieve, 
ye  may  say  '  Amen ; '  but  if  he  gives  utter  to  any 
false  doctrine,  den  keep  still.  Don't  contradic' 
him  on  de  spot,  but  leave  him  in  my  hands  and 
Til  settle  him  arf'r  meetirC  /" 
■  '  Scriptur'  Bill '  was  a  noted  man  among  the 
black  Methodists  of  the  region.  He  got  his  name 
from  a  habit  he  had  of  using  Scripture  language 
as  far  as  possible  in  his  common  conversa- 
tion. 

But  much  as  Preachin'  Jack  loved  what  was 
like  Christ  in  the  spirit  and  words  of  his  clerical 
brother,  he  had  somewhai  against  him- — and 
rarely  did  the  tw  'ueet  without  having  a  theologi- 
cal encounter,  as  well  as  a  smart  brush  about 
minor  matters ;  but  they  always  parted  in  love,  and 
that  is  more  than  can  be  said  of  all  wiser  religious 
controversalists. 

Tiie  evening  service  was  what  might  bo  strictly 
called  an  "  experience  meeting,"  although  we  must 


164 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


I 


admit  that  much  of  the  talking  savored  not  a  little 
of  gossip ;  for  in  telling  their  own  experience  and 
their  feelings  afterward,  many  took  occasion  to 
bring  in  what  "  massa,"  or  "  missus,"  or  "  de 
overseer,"  or  some  fellow  servant  had  done,  and 
thus  the  air  was  let  in  among  the  family  secrets  of 
the  neighborhood  generally.  If  at  any  time  bare- 
faced disloyalty  was  expressed,  old  Jack  would 
speak  out,  sometimes  saying,  "  Whist,  dere !  keep 
to  de  question  ; "  or  he  woxild  ask,  "  What  says  do 
Bible  'bout  bein' '  subject  to  de  powers  dat  bees, 
ha  ?  "  or,  "  Who  give  yer  dis  time  for  to  praise 
and  pray  in  ?  Heaps  of  black  folks  can't  come 
here ;  yer  dat  can,  use  yer  liberty  well ;  and  leave 
dem  same  powers  '  wid  dere  own  Master  to  stand 
or  fall  down." 

Zack  and  Weza,  as  the  great  characters  of -the 
day,  had  been  appointed  to  speak;  and  both  told 
of  their  early  life,  their  religious  feelings,  their 
visions  and  tlieir  deliverances  ;  and  in  winding  up, 
poor  Weza,  in  a  trembling  voice  asked  "  de  prayers 
of  dis  crowd  dat  de  Lord,  who  had  brung  her  such 
mighty  helper  dis  day,  would  comfort  her  heart  by 
a  letter  or  a  word  from  one  boy,  at  de  least." 

Old  Jack  began  to  ask  her  questions,  when 
Mammy  Cleo  interrupted  him  by  saying,  "  'Taint 
no  use  a  pray  in',  brother,  for  dem  boys.    She's  de 


PBEACHIKG  JACK  AND  BCBIPTUB'  BILL.         166 


lot  a  little 
'ience  and 
casion  to 
•  or  "de 
ione,  and 
secrets  of 
ime  bare- 
ck  would 
ere !  keep 
at  says  do 
dat  bees, 
to  praise 
ui't  come 
and  leave 
r  to  stand 

ers  of -the 
both  told 
ngs,  their 
inding  up, 
ie  prayers 
5  her  such 
r  heart  by 

9t." 

ins,   when 

,  "'Taint 

She's  de 


one  to  pray  for,  dat  she  be  willin'  to  have  de  great 
Massa's  will  done.    Once  I  lost  all  my  chW'en  by 
my  old  massa  a  dyin'  and  we  beiu'  sold  to  Tom, 
Dick  and  Hairy,  whoever  had  money  enough  to 
buy  us !     Well,  I  sot  up  my  will,  and  I  thought  it 
moughty  hard  I  couldn't  hold  de  reins  of  de  uni- 
varse  and  drive  !    I  fit;  and  fit,  and  fit !    And  just 
as  long  as  I  fit,  de  great  hand  was  laid  on  me  to 
keep  me  down.    But  bymeby  I  spent  myself  und 
hadn't  no  strength  left  to  fight  wid.    Den  I  fell 
down  at  his  feet  for  dead  ;  and  I  said,  '  Lord,  all  I 
has  is  dine;  do  as  pleases  dee  wid  my  chil'en; 
only  bring  dy  own  glory  out  o'  my  black  cloud 
and  I'll  be  satisfied !    What's  me  and  what's  my 
father's  house,  dat  I  should  bid  de  Lord  of  heaven 
how  lie  should  deal  wid  us  !    And  after  dat  I  was 
80  hungry  and  thirsty  aft«r  de  Lord's  presence 
and  his  glory  dat  my  chil'en  didn't  seem  to  be 
nowhars !    And  den  I  got  word  of  two  dat  was 
alive  and  thtee  dat  was  gone  to  glory  !    And  I  tell 
yer  what  it  is,  Father  Jack,  as  long  as  dis  little 
woman  frets  at  God,  just  so  long  he'll  head  her 
off — husband  or  po  husband.    Dis  brother  Zack 
looks  like  a  powerful  big  fellow  dat's  of  some  con- 
sequence ;  but  bless  yer,  he  aint  so  big  as  de  dust 
in  de  scales  in  de  eye  of  him  dat  made  liim  !    He 
can't  fotch  newp  o'  dem  Iwys  no  more  den  he  can 


ijbmmmmmm^l 


166 


OUT  OF  THE  WOiDEBNESS. 


make  a  world !  She's  got  him,  sure,  but  she'&  just 
as  pendant  on  de  Lord  as  she  was  afore !  S'pose 
yer  jines  in  prayer  dat  she  —  poor  chile — may 
grow  subjected  to  de  will  of  Christ  in  all  things, 
Father  Jack,  and  we'll  say  de  '  amens '  to  it." 

He  prayed  fur  Weza,  appealing  to  Him  who  felt 
the  power  of  Mary's  love  afid  sorrow,  to  pity  and 
to  bless  her ;  and  such  tender  and  earnest  appeals 
followed  as  quite  lifted  their  poor  subject  above 
her  grief,  and  the  peace  of  God  soon  filled  her 
soul.  ''And  to-morrow,  chil'eu,"  said  old  Jack, 
«  some  of  de  white  folks  will  be  here — yer  massas 
and  derc  families,  dat  yer  bound  to  honor,  if  yer 
can ;  —  anu  yer  must  let  dem  set  on  de  boards, 
'cause  doy  aint  used  to  squattin'  on  de  ground,  and 
can't  do  it  so  handy  as  yer  can.  And  yer  needn't 
groan  and  howl  for  de  sake  of  makin'  a  show  of 
yerselves,  nor  do  any  thing  else  dat's  savage-like. 
And  mind,  every  thing  yer  do  dat's  foolish  or  'dio- 
alous  will  be  sot  down  agin  de  Master!  If  yer 
caper  about,  and  hoot,  and  fall  down* —  when  de 
Spirit  don't  do  it — dey'll  say,  'Dat's  all  dero 
'ligion  does  for  dem !  It  don't  keep  dem  from 
stealin'  poultry,"  and  here  he  made  a  dead  pause 
and  turned  a  withering  look  on  Joe  Simpson  and 
Phil  Hunter,  the  two  preachers  he  had  "  put  out  of 
de  ministry  "  for  the  crime  now  delicately  hinted 


»ii'ifi<ili'ii)|i<i),ifr"" 


PREACHING  JACK  AND  SCRIPTUB'   BILL.        167 


she's  just 
!  S'pose 
ile — may 
i\  things, 
it." 

I  who  felt 
)  pity  and 
Bt  appeals 
)ect  above 
fUlcd  her 
old  Jack, 
er  massas 
nor,  if  yer 
ie  boards, 
round,  and 
er  needn't 
a  show  of 
iavage-like. 
ish  or  'dic- 
r!    If  yer 
—  when  de 
s  all  dero 
dem  from 
dead  pause 
mpson  and 
'  put  out  of 
tely  hinted 


at.  Not  reflecting  on  the  conclusion  to  which,  the 
audience  would  be  forced  by  their  course,  they 
both  stealthily  caught  up  their  hats  and  made 
their  way  outride  the  lines,  anxious  to  get  om  of 
sight. 

The  people  all  laughed  at  this,  and  old  Jack 
said  solemnly  to  them :  "  Well,  den,  yer  dat  is  clar 
of  all  sin  and  all  onfaithful  dealin'  wid  yer  mas- 
ters, git  right  up  and  fling  stuns  at  'em.  Whose 
chickeAs  has  I  smelt  a  cookin'  all  day  ?  " 

Many  dropped  their  heads,  but  Zack  rose  and 
said,  "  Father,  I^ could  heave  stuns  all  night,  as  far 
as  stealin'  is  consamed,  and  so  could  heaps  more 
here ;  but  in  de  heart  is  de  seat  of  dis  war  atween 
massas  and  sarvants  ;  and  few  of  us  but  yer  can 
pint  at  and  cry, '  Don  art  de  man ! '  " 

On  the  morning  of  the  second  day  there  was  a 
still  greater  gathering.  The  fame  of  "  de  glorious 
times  "  had  been  carried  far  and  wide ;  and  the 
blacks  from  a  distance,  whether  from  the  East  or 
the  West,  the  North  or  the  South,  when  asked 
how  they  heard  of  it,  replied, "  Obed  Huggins  telled 
on't !  "  Where  "  the  centaur  "  hadn't  been  —  be- 
side being  present  at  each  meeting  —  was  more 
easily  told  than  where  he  had !  It  began  to  bo 
whispered  among  the  crowd  that  the  horse  and  his 
rider  had  the  power  of  being  in  many  places  at  the 


■M-imW.  r»ii  -m  i-ii     I  .y,!  f-ii,  iii-nlri|-1,hllii»il.jj 


J 


■■■i 


m 


.,  ..:mismmnmm 


168 


OUT   OP  THE  WILDKBNE88. 


same  time.  Four  men  testified  to  their  being  on 
"  massa's  plantation  just  as  de  sun  was  sinkin' ; " 
^  and  these  places  were  four  miles  from  the  grove, 
in  different  directions  !  The  report  had  been  per- 
sonified, and  those  who  had  heard  the  message 
believed  they  had  seen  the  bearer  of  it. 

The  "  boards  "  were  filled  at  an  early  hour  by 
a  dozen  or  more  white  ladies  and  gentlemen,  most 
of  whom  had  favorite  servants  they  wished  to  grat- 
ify ;  while  a  few,  doubtless,  had  come  hoping  that 
while  the  Master  was  feeding  the  multitude,  they 
might  share  in  the  blessing. 

Madam  Leon  and  Miss  Julia  were  there  as  hum- 
ble and  devout  worshippers;  the  judge  and  his 
vrife  had  come  "  to  please  old  Jack ; "  a  family  of 
lovely  young  girls  were  among  the  number  be- 
cause their  "dear  mammy,"  in  whose  care  their 
dying  mother  had  placed  them,  had  plead  with 
tears  that  they  would  come,  "  for  mought  be  Jesus 
of  Nazareth  would  pass  by  and  touch  them  ! '" 

Huggins  was  wandering  uneasily  about  the 
grove,  making  excuses  to  everybody  he  met  for 
being  there.  Unfortunately  he  did  not  tell  the 
same  story  twice.  He  told  Madam  Leon  he  came 
to  please  lier,  and  Zack,  and  Weza;  he  told  the 
judge  he  was  forced  to  come  to  watch  that  big 
man  of  Leon's,  that  he  dicUx't  run  off  with  his  little 


L 


tfeiMt 


88. 

their  being  on 
was  sinkin' ; " 
•om  the  grove, 
;  had  been  per- 
d  the  message 
fit. 

I  early  hour  by 
entlemen,  most 
wished  to  grat- 
me  hoping  that 
multitude,  they 

I  there  as  hum- 
judge  and  his 
;"  a  family  of 
le  number  be- 
lose  care  their 
ad  plead  with 
raght  be  Jesus 
I  them ! '" 
ily    about   the 
iy  he  met  for 
not  tell  the 
eon  he  came 
;  lie  told  the 
atch  that  big 
with  his  little 


PBEACmNQ  JACK  AND  SCBHTUR*   BILL.         169 

woman ;  while  to  a  few  rough  companions  he  some- 
tiines  met  at  the  store,  ho  said, "  everybody  was 
gone  off  his  plantation,  and  there  was  no  work 
doin'  and  nothin'  to  eat,  so  ho  and  his  wife  had  set 
off  to  visit  some  folks  at '  Shallow  Bend,'  and  just 
looked  in  here,  to  see  the  8jx>rt  as  they  passed !  " 
The  truth  was,  "  missus  "  had  made  him  come  ;  for 
unwilling  as  he  was,  he  hadn't  energy  to  resist 
her  demands. 

Mrs.  Huggins  was  there,  painfully  conscious 
that  her  attire  was  the  same  Madam  Leon  had 
seen  her  have  on  about  house  and  of  which  she 
had  heard  her  speak  so  scornfully.  Her  bonnet 
was  on  one  side,  bringing  the  few  soiled  and 
mashed  roses,  whose  proper  place  was  on  top  of 
her  head,  directly  over  one  eye;  and  her  shawl, 
all  ablaze  with  rainbow-hued  flowers  on  a  snulF- 
colored  ground,  was  worn  in  the  easiest  possible 
style,  the  corner  being  on  one  shoulder,  while  one 
end  was  neav  her  bolt  and  the  other  trailing  on 
the  ground.  She  looked  so  uncomfortable  —  as 
if  not  at  home  among  either  whites  or  blacks — 
that  the  kind-hearted  Madam  Leon  took  her  under 
her  own  care,  chatting  with  her  before  the  time 
for  service,  and  seating  her  beside  herself  when 

that  hour  arrived. 

* 

Scriptur'  Bill  had  come  early  and  had  been  some 


iiMffrtatiffam-Bai 


lllltnr   >1 


170 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


time  on  the  ground,  exhorting,  admonishing  and 
rebuking,  before  Preaching  Jack  appeared.  As 
the  Old  man  tottered  towards  liim  at  length,  Bill 
held  out  his  hand,  exclaiming,  "  Grace,  massy,  and 
peace  'ie  unto  yer,  Father  Jack,  and  upon  all  de 
Israel  of  God." 

"  Dat's  a  good  prayer,  brother  Bill,"  replied  the 
old  man,  looking  sharply  at  him,'  "  but  I  wish  ye'd 
keep  as  close  to  Scriptur'  in  yer  loctrines  and  yer 
dreK<»  as  yer  does  in  yer  words.  Where  does  yer 
fi'id  de  command  for  de  preachers  of  de  Gospel 
to  V  ear  a  white  cloth  'Iwut  dere  necks,  Im  ?  " 

Dar  aint  no  color  'signed  for  neckcloths,  is 
dere',  father?"  asked  Scriptur'  Bill,  in  a  concilia- 
tory tone. 

"  I  reckons  de  fust  of  de  perfession  hadn't  no 
ncckclotlis,  no  how ;  I  reckons  our  brother  Peter 
didn't  pay  much  'tention  to  de  clerical  riggins 
wlien  he  girt  his  fisher's  coat  about  him.     Ha  ? 

"  I  reckons  de  brethren  hadn't  no  white  cravats 
when  dey  wjih  a  men  din'  de  nets  afore  dat  power- 
ful haul  of  fishes ;  and  I  re  kons  de  dear  Massa 
hadn't  no  sich  Uke  gear  'bout  him  when  he  girded 
his  blessed  sell'  with  a  towel  and  washed  de  'ciples' 
feet.  No,  no,  no.  When  de  cruel  Jews  parted  his 
raiment,  dere  was  no  sich  nonsense  jaong  it  as 
dat,  Bill.'* 


sxm 


PBEACniNG   JACK   AND  SCBIPTUR'   BILL.        171 


)onishing  and 
l»peared.  As 
\t  length,  Bill 
;e,  masHy,  and 
I  upon  all  de 

I,"  replied  the 
ut  I  wish  ye'd 
trines  and  yer 
'hero  does  yer 
of  de  Gospel 
^8,  ha  ? " 
neckcloths,  is 
,  in  a  concilia- 
ion  hadn't  no 
brother  Peter 
erical   riggins 
lim.     Ha  ? 
white  cravats 
,)re  dat  power- 
dear  Massa 
len  he  girded 
led  de  'ciples' 
ew3  parted  his 
^ODg  it  as 


"  De  times  and  seasons  were  different  den, 
brother,"  saiti  Scriptur'  Bill,  apologetically. 

"Pho!"  cried  old  Jack.  "Men  was  sinners 
den  like  dey  be  now  ;  and  de  Lord's  sarvants  was 
bound  to  bo  humble  and  set  a  zamplo  to  de  flock 
den  as  dey  be  now,  and  no  more.  May  be  Judas 
'Cariot,  dat  was  a  time-sarvcr,  always  a  tryin'  for 
to  ploase  dc  grand  folks,  wore  a  white  cravat,  and 
de  fashion  t  ime  down  from  him.  But  de  night  he 
betrayed  our  dear  Jesus  I  reckons  he  pulled  it  off; 
for  he  di'.ti't  boast  den  —  as  I  ve  heerd  o'  yer  doin' 
—  dat  he  was  a  clargyman." 

"If  eatiu'  meat  makes  my  brother  to  'fend," 
replied  poor  Bill,  meekly,  "  I'll  wear  no  more  white 
cravats  while  do  world  stand." 

"  Now  dat's  like  a  Christian,"  replied  old  Jack. 
"If  yc'U  pull  down  dat  sail  o'  pride,  ye' 11  cripple 
Satan  in  de  right  hand.  Ye  see,  while  dere  aint 
no  more  sin  in  white  den  dere  is  in  black,  a  wear- 
in'  dat  thing  is  a  foUerin'  dem  dat's  sot  up  rules 
and  fashions  dat  ain't  in  Scriptur'.  De  nex'  thing, 
ye'U  want  a  gown,  like  dat  man  preaches  to  de 
Court  House ;  and  dc  nex',  may  be  ye'U  want  to 
shave  de  top  of  yer  head  like  a  popist  monk,  or 
wear  a  coat  down  to  yer  heels  like  a  priest.  A.h, 
Bill,  Bill !  I  believe  yer  born  agin  and  dat  yer'll 
reach  glory  yit ;  but  yer'vo  got  a  weakness,  Bill. 


w^ 


172 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


I 


Yor've  got  a  notion  that  yer  can  improve  on  do 
lioid's  plan.  No,  no,  no.  Ho,  de  Lord  of  heaven 
and  arth,  come  meeic  and  lowly,  a  workin'  wid  his 
hands  and  ridin'  on  an  ass.  He  pick  out  poor 
fishermen  for  to  be  his  company  and  to  preach  his 
gospel,  and  he  go  homeless  and  hungry ;  and  when 
do  end  come,  he  lay  down  in  a  borrowed  ~ave. 
But  bless  ye,  dcm  dat  comes  arter  him,  ^^nd  bears 
his  name,  and  call  theirselves  his  sarvants,  is  so 
grand  dat  should  he  come  back  like  he  did  afore, 
dey  wouldn't  speak  to  him.  Do  you  'spect  if  he 
should  come  back  hero  wid  his  feet  all  dusty  from 
de  journey,  dat  grand  clargymen  would  ax  him 
into  their  pulpits  to  sit  down  aside  o'  dem?  I 
reckons  not.  Dey  would  turn  de  cold  shoulder  on 
him,  and  den  he  would  say,  'I'll  go  to  de  lost 
sheep  of  de  house  of  Israel,'  and  turn  right  in 
here  to  dis  camp — he  would." 

Before  Scriptur'  Bill  mounted  the  platform  the 
white  cravat  had  vanished. 

After  singing  a  most  spirited  hymn,  Bill  rose  up 
and  said,  "Dear  beloved  and  longed  for, — I'a 
very  happy  to  stan'  up  dis  day  and  speak  unto  yer 
de  words  of  truth  and  sobe'ness.  I  shall  give  yer 
no  'laborate  'scource,  but  throw  a  few  hints  at  yer 
that  yer  can  carry  home  and  work  up  ;  and  den  I 
shall  improve  de  subject  by  an  'count  of  de  dea4^ 


rovo  on  tie 
I  of  heaven 
tin'  wid  lu8 
k  out  poor 

preach  his 
;  and  when 
wed  —ave. 
,  und  bears 
vants,  is  so 
3  did  afore, 
'spect  if  he 

dusty  from 
uld  ax  him 
>'  dem?  I 
shoulder  on 

to  de  lost 
m  right  in 

)latform  the 

Bill  rose  up 
d  for,— I's 
iak  unto  yer 
lall  give  yer 
hints  at  yer 
;  and  den  I 
of  de  death 


PREACHING  JACK   AKD  aCBIPTTTR'   BILL.         178 

and  funeral  of  Aunt  Zena,  dat  yer  all  knowed  for 
a  mother  in  Israel.  De  last  words  she  Haid  to  me 
was, '  Next  time  yer  preach,  Bill,  magnify  de  grace 
of  dc  Lord  by  showin'  l>ow  easy  he  led  me  through 
de  dark  river  and  let  mo  into  glory.'  And  I'll  do 
it  at  de  close  cf  dis  yere  exordium. 

"  My  tex'  is  in  '  Ax'  — '  Ax  of  de  'postles.'  Dis 
book  is  called  'Ax'  Ijecaso  de  words  in  it.  cut  so 
deep  into  de  licarts  of  de  Scribes  and  de  Pharisees 
and  de  Rulers.  Don't  yer  know  it  says,  '  i)ey  was 
cut  to  de  heart,  pierced  to  de  heart,'  Ac.  ? 

"  Dese  wicked  men  hardened  dere  hearts  like 
de  never  milestone  ;  but  de  Gospel  '  Ax  '  cut  into 
'em.  Dey  made  chains  and  stocks  for  de  feet  and 
de  hands  of  de  Lord's  holy  ones ;  but  de  '  ax ' 
severated  'om.  'Nias  and  'riophira,  dey  built  up  a 
big  lie,  and  thought  dey  was  to  get  great  glory 
from  it;  but  dis  'ax  '  of  truth  cut  through  .it,  and 
slew  dem  too.  Our  dearly  beloved  brother  Paul, 
while  he  was  feaal  of  Tiirshish,  was  struck  down 
wid  ail  ax  in  de  f'"<'Ui  ji  voice  ;  and  dat  laid  his 
pride  low  ar  mat-f  h"  n  a  humble  child  like  de 
rest  of  uB. 

*'Brotbp'  r  '3r,  :,(  t  up  his  pride,  and  ho 
wa'n't  feuiu\  V;w  ,.  .  ;  thin'  but  what  he  thought 
best.  But  he  fell  asleep  -~  hito  a  vision-like  —  and 
dis  '  ax '  fell  on. him,  and  Ida  pride  was  cut  in  two, 


1 


^mt 


174 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


and  he  was  glad  arter  that  to  eat  any  thing  he 
could  get  hold  on  honestly.  After  dis  de  Jews 
bound  demselves  by  an  oath  dat  dey  wouldn't  eat 
or  drink  till  dey  fust  killed  our  brother  Paul.  De 
'  ax '  of  Providence  cut  dat  oath  in  two,  and  dey 
ate  and  drank  as  long  as  dey  lived. 

"  Dis  '  ax '  has  two  edges ;  one  is  de  edge  of  ven- 
geance, and  dat  slays  de  King's  enemies ;  de  other 
Oder  is  de  edge  of  Providence,  and  dat  cuts  de  soul 
of  de  believer  free  from  every  thin'  but  Christ.  It 
cuts  every  chain  and  link,  and  even  a  string  dat 
binds  us  to  dis  world;  for  Jesus  says  we  shall 
have  nothin'  dat's  dearer  to  our  souls  den  he  is." 

And  so  the  preacher  went  on  for  an  hour  and  a 
half,  giving  examples  from  the  days  of  the  Egyp- 
tian bondage  to  the  present  time,  of  the  wonderful 
blows  given  by  this  '  ax.'  His  rhetoric  was  of  the 
rudest  style,  and  his  figures  were  often  sadly  con- 
fused; but  this  did  not  offend  the  taste  nor  outrage 
the  sense  of  his  humble  hearers.  And  intermin- 
gled with  all  that  was  offensive  to  the  more  re- 
fined in  his  audience,  t  lere  was  an  ingenuity  that 
amused  them  as  well  as  a  fervor  that  subdued  all 
criticism.  Bill,  however,  did  not  soar  on  one  of 
his  wildest  tiights  that  day,  being  evidently  under 
some  restraint  from  the  presence  of  Preaching 
Jack,  who  was  always  watching  for  heresy.     Ar- 


PREACHING   JACK   AND  SCBIPTUR'   BILL.         175 


(ly  thing  he 
lis  de  Jews 
wouldn't  eat 
r  Paul.  De 
Yo,  and  dcy 

edge  of  ven- 
B8 ;  de  other 
cuts  de  soul 
t  Christ.     It 
a  string  dat 
ys  we  shall 
len  ho  is." 
I  hour  and  a 
of  the  Egyp- 
[\e  wonderful 
ic  was  of  the 
in  sadly  con- 
3  nor  outrage 
nd  intermiu- 
the  more  re- 
agenuity  that 
c  subdued  all 
IT  on  one  of 
idently  under 
Df  Preaching 
heresy.     Ar- 


miiiianism  being  the^old  man's  horror,  he  felt  it 
his  duty  to  be  always  on  the  alert  lest  it  might 
cvcep  in  among  his  flock  unawares. 

On  the  outskirts  of  the  little  grove  there  were 
now  quite  a  number  of  white  men  come  as  spies  or 
scoflers ;  and  it  occurred  to  Bill  that  lie  might 
catch  them  by  a  little  holy  guile.  So  lie  said, 
"Father  Jack,  wid  yer  leave,  I  would  oppose  dat  we 
hold  a  debatin'  s'iety  as  de  afternoon  sa.'vice,  and 
let  all  men  of  one  blood,  of  all  de  nations,  give  dei'e 
'pinion  'bout  'ligion,  and  how  dey  'spects  to  get  to 
heaven.  *  Let  derc  be  light,'  says  de  gospel,  and 
if  anybody  here  has  fetched  a  brighter  torch  dan 
mine  to  light  up  de  valley  and  de  shadow,  dere 
will  be  liberty  for  him  to  hold  it  up.  Infidels,  Ma- 
hom'dons,  Jews,  Gentiles,  Ilotetots,  Arabs,  Meth- 
odises and  Baptises  will  all  be  on  equal  footiu'. 
Den  when  de  'scussion  is  over  we'll  vote  which  has 
got  de  best  of  de  arg'mcnt ;  and  de  majority  shall 
rule,  as  is  '  done  in  decency  and  order '  in  all  'pub- 
lican governments  on  de  artli." 

«  Whist,  there,  Bill !  "  cried  the  old  man.  "  Do 
yer  mean  to  say  dat  if  dera  outsidei's  dat  never  see 
de  Lord  shall  outnumber  us,  dat  we's  goin'  to  give 
in  to  do  devil  ?"  No,  no  !  dere's  no  niajority  work 
in  dis  business.  If  all's  on  do  devil's  side  but  onl); 
old  Jack,  he'll  stand  up.  like  a  rock  for  his  beloved 


' 


176 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


"■"♦ 


Massa  Jesus,  and  say, '  Do'  qjl  men  forsake  dec,  yet 
will  I  never  forsake  dec.'  I  'proves  of  de  'batin' 
s'icty,  but  no  majority  shall  draw  me  'way  frqm 
him  my  soul  lovo.  De  bigger  de  'jority  agin  him, 
de  harder  I'll  try  to  bring  dem  over  to  de  minority." 


■  S'-'i^ 


L 


ce  dec,  yet 
de  'batin' 
way  frqm 
Elgin  him, 
ninority." 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


LAST  WORK   OP  PREACHING  JACK. 

SCRIPTUR'  Bill's  "  batin'  s'icty"  proved  one  of 
the  most  amicable  discussions  that  ever  graced 
the  annals  of  controversy  —  the  combatants  being 
all  on  one  side.  They  could  not  find  a  man  to 
oppose  the  groat  truths  of  icvelation,  the  few 
whites  wiio  scoffed  at  them  being  too  ignorant  to 
give  any  reason  for  their  unbelief.  This  was  a 
source  of  some  disappointment  to  Bill,  for  having 
suggested  the  debate  he  felt  a  little  pride  in  seeing 
it  go  warmly  on.  He  could  not  help  showing  a 
little  chagrin  at  the  dne-sided  nature  of  the  m'bvc- 
ment. 

"Well,  friends,"  he  said,  "if  I  believed  every 
man  on  dis  yere  ground  was*  heart,  body  and  soul 
on  de  Lord's  side,  I'd  shout  for  joy  till  I  made  dc 
anthems  ring  wid  de  arches  dercof.  But  I  knoww 
better  ;  and  so  I  wants  every  man  for  to  show  his 

colors  and  give  a  reason  of  de  hopes  dat's  in  him. 
17T 


178 


OUT  OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 


I'm  a  Christian,  born  agin,  a  new  creater',  old 
things  passed  away.  I  knows  dat  I's  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  'case  I  loves  de  brethren.  And  1 
ain't  ashamed  on't.  I  glories  in  de  fact.  I  talks 
'bout  my  big  hope  by  de  daylight,  and  dreams 
'bout  it  when  I's  sleep,  and  many's  de  time  I 
rouses  at  midnight,  and  leaves  my  bed  and  goes 
out  under  de  stars,  and  looks  up  to  Uod  wid  my 
soul  so  full  of  dc  glories  of  'domption  for  lost  man 
dat  I  can't  speak,  but  only  lot  dc  tears  of  love  run 
from  my  eyes,  Dat's  de  way  I  feels  'bout  my 
hope,  and  I  persuraes  dat  skeptaclo  folks  feels  just 
80  'bout  dere  hope,  and  if  dey  does,  let  'cm  boast 
on't.  Massa  Huggins,  if  T  mought  make  so  bold, 
I'd  ax  yer  to  say  a  few  words  'bout  ycr  principles. 
It's  told  dat  yer  a  skeptacle,  and  so  fur  in  life  I 
never  heerd  one  of  that  persuasion  tell  his    spe- 

ricnce." 

Dave  was  not  an  orator,  anc'  whatever  weak- 
nesses he  had,  hearing  himself  talk  in  public  was 
not  one  of  them.  He  was  sitting  on  a  stump 
quite  near  Scriptur'  Bill  when  the  gauntlet  was 
thrown  down  at  his  foot ;  and  bo  was  so  startled  by 
it  that  ho  sprung  up  as  if  by  a  >slioclc  of  galvanism, 
and  turned  liis  hack  on  the  speaker,  growling  out 
a  few  words  nobody  could  hear. 

Then  Father  Jack  came  forward  and  addressed 


LAST  WORK  OP  PREACUIKO   JACK. 


179 


•cahu"',  old 
jaased  from 
3U.  And  1 
ct.  I  talks 
ltd  dreams 
de  time  I 
d  and  goes 
rod  wid  my 
"or  lost  mail 
of  love  run 
3  'bout  ray 
js  feels  just 
t  'em  boast 
ike  80  bold, 
r  principles, 
fur  in  life  I 
2ll  his  'spe- 

tever  weak- 
i  public  was 
HI  a  stump 
;auntlet  was 
3  startled  by 
[  galvanism, 
growling  out 

d  addressed 


him,  saying,  "  Please,  massa,  tell  dis  poor  crowd 
if  dere  is  any  more  joy  in  denyin'  de  Lord  of  glory 
Jen  dere  is  in  leanin'  on  his  bosom,  and  washin' 
his  dear  feet  wid  tears,  and  cryin'  '  My  Lord  and 
my  God.'" 

"  1  reckons,"  replied  Dave,  surlily,  "  that  I  haiut 
been  a  planter  and  my  own  master  all  these  years 
tp  herd  with  black  folks  at  this  late  day.     But  if 

.  yer  wants  my  'pinion  'bout  ligion  it's  just  this; 
that  yer  too  ignorant  to  know  the  meanin'  o'  the 
wox'd,  and  that  the  white  folks  ought  to  get  to- 
gether and  settle  which  is  the  true  'ligion,  and 
then   make   vor  all  believe  it,  and  quit  this  ere 

,  noise,  and  stay  to  home  and  work  !  "  —  and  leaving 
his  hearers  aghast  at  .such  statements,  he  walked 

I  off. 

"  Well,  if  dere's  no  more  to  bo  said  agin  de 
Lord,"  said  Bill,  "  s'pose  yer  put  de  vote,  Father 
Jack,  and  see  how  de  case  stands  ?  " 

Ti)c  vote  was  put  thus  :  "  All  yer  dat  don't  be- 
lieve man's  got  no  soul,  or  dat  if  dey  has  souls  all 
goes  to  one  place  arter  death,  or  dat  de  Lord  Jesus 
was  only  a  good  man,  and  dat  we's  good  men  too, 
hold  up  yer  hands  agin  de  King  of  Glory.  Yer 
dat  wish  yer'd  been  dere  to  drive  dc  nails  and  do 

.  spear,  and  to  cry, '  Crucify  him,  crucify  him,'  and 
to  put  vinegar  mingled  wid  gall  tc  his  sweet  lips, 


mm 


180 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


and  a  parted  his  raiment  —  lookin'  sharp  to  get 
yer  share  on't;  yer  dat  would  like  to  have  writ 
'  Dis  is  de  King  of  de  Jews,'  over  his  head,  and 
put  de  purple  robe  on  him,  and  smote  him,  and 
mocked  him,  and  spit  upon  him  —  0,  Lord,  if 
dere  is  one  such  wretch  in  dis  yere  ordance,  have 
mercy  on  his  guilty  soul !  —  I  says,  if  dere  is  one 
sich  black-hearted  creatur'  here,  let  him  hold  up 
his  hand  now  agin  him  dot  loved  us  v.  id  an  ever- 
lastin'  love,  and  dat  giu  himself  for  us,  and  pur- . 
chased  us  wid  his  own  blood." 

This  remarkable  way  of  putting  a  motion  had  a 
moving  effect  on  his  excitable  hearers.  They 
wept,  and  groaned,  and  cried  out,  "  No,  no,  dear 
Jesus!  I'll  die  wid  dee,  jet  I  will  not  deny 
dee !  He  is  de  Lord  !  lie  saves  us  from  our  sins ! 
He's  waitin'  for  us  now  in  glory !  Come,  dear 
Jesus,  and  take  us. home!  We's  right  homesick 
arter  dee !  Put  dy  en'mios  under  dy  feet,  and 
reign  King  over  de  nations  like  as  dou  now  reign 
in  our  souls." 

.  "  Well,  den,  do  scoffin'  side  of  de  house  hab 
voted  all  dey  will,"  cried  old  Jack,  with  a  smile, 
"  for  dey's  all  clared  out.  Now  yer  dat  will  have 
ray  Jesus  for  to  reign  over  yer,  now  and  hereafter, 
up  wid  yer  right  hands." 

Not  only  thoir  right  hands  went  up.     The  audi- 


L 


LAST  WORK  OF  PBEACniNO  JACK. 


181 


p  to  get 
lave  writ 
ead,  and 
lim,  and 
Lord,  if 
ace,  have 
re  is  one 
hold  up 
an  ever- 
and  pur- 

)n  had  a 
B.  They 
no,  dear 
lot  denjr 


our  sins 


ine,  dear 
liomcsick 
feet,  and 
low  reign 

)U8e  hab 

a  smile, 

vill  have 

lereafter, 

riie  audi- 


ence Bprang  as  if  with  one  conHent  to  their  feet, 
talking,  and  laughing,  and  weeping,  and  shouting, 
and  calling  on  Jesus  by  every  endearing  name  to 
look  into  their  hearts  and  see  if  they  did  noi;  love 
him  and  long  for  his  glory.  Madam  Leon  and 
Miss  Julia  rose  with  the  rest ;  and  the  judge  and 
his  wife  unconsciously  followed  their  example, 
hardly  realizing  how  far  behind  this  poor  throng 
they  were  in  all  that  goes  to  make  up  the  real  hap- 
piness of  life.  The  judge  always  said  he  felt  safe 
as  long  as  he  could  keep  hold  of  old  Jack  ;  for  he'd 
get  him  into  heaven  by  some  means. 

It  was  several  minutes  before  quiet  was  restored, 
aad  then  Jack  said :  <'  Dat  question  is  settled  for 
all  time  in  dis  part  of  Jo  world  —  even  on  our 
brother  Bill's  s'gestion  —  for  de  'jority  has  ruled 
right  for  orifce.  Now  go  off  wid  grateful  hearts 
and  eat  yer  suppers,  and  den,  after  a  short  prayer 
meetin',  we  will  all  dispense  to  our  sev'ral  homes 
to  be  more  lovin'  to  each  other  and  more  faithful 
to  our  masters  den  ever  before ;  for  de  nearer  we 
gets  to  de  Lord,  de  faithfuUer  we'll  be  to  dem  qs 
has  de  rule  over  us  in  de  flesh." 

Father  Jack's  "  short  meetin'  "  was  lengthened 
out  three  hours ;  and  it  was  one  never  to  be  for- 
gotten- in  that  region.  The  Master  mnnife»ted 
himself  there  with  great  power,  convincing  of  sin 


182 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDEBNESS. 


and  granting  pardon  to  those  who  had  not  known 
liiin  before ;  and  giving  new  joy  and  fresh  assur- 
ance to  the  poor  pilgrims  who  had  long  been  grop- 
ing after  his  guiding  hand  and  following  his  voice 
amid  the  storms  and  the  darkness. 

As  the  moon  rose  high  and  lighted  the  grounds, 
old  Jack  said,  "  Dear  chil'en,  the  time  has  come 
for  us  to  sunderate,  and  I  would  spread  my  hands 
over  yer  and  call  down  do  blessin'  of  him  dat  led 
Israel  through  de  wild'ncss,  dat  he  will  go  wid  yer 
and  be  a  pillar  of  fire  by  night  and  a  pillar  of 
cloud  by  day." 

They  all  rose,  and  he  said,  "  Dear  Jesus,  dis  is 
my  family,  my  chil'en.  i  has  come  to  de  end  of 
my  days  dat's  liee'n  few  and  evil ;  like  to  our  father 
Jacob,  I  wants  to  bless  dem  before  I  dies.  Blessed 
shall  dey  be  in  de  house,  in  de  field,  by  de  way- 
side, and  everywhar.  Blessed  be  dere  chil'en,  and 
may  dey  be  a  seed  te  sarve  dee.  Blessed  be  dere 
massas  in  dere  baskets  and  dere  stores,  in  dere 
houses  and  dere  lands,  in  dere  oxen  and  dei^ 
asses,  and  in  de  stranger  dat  is  widin  dere  gates. 
To  de  nmssiful  do  dou  show  massy  ;  and  if  .any  is 
onmassiful,  bless  dem  by  forgivin'  and  lovin'  dem. 
And  bless  dis  great  and  wicked  nation.  I  sees 
dem  a  standin'  now  on  de  shore  of  a  sea  of  blood. 
De  waves  rolls  up  and  cry  out  for  dere  sons  to 


LA&J?  WORK  OP  PBEACHING   JACK. 


183 


swallow  'em  up.  De  holy  ones  is  a  cryiu'  to  God, 
'  Sparc,'  and  a  pleadin'  wid  dee  to  roll  back  de 
wavea  of  vengeance.  But  no,  de  'pressors  beckons 
'em  back  and  throws  dere  own  beautiful  sons  into 
de  sea.  Dey  is  rusiiin'  madly  on  to  dere  own 
destruction,  but  God  is  mightier  den  dey,  and  he 
will  bring  good  out  of  evil  and  peace  out  of  war, 
and  reign  over  de  whole  arth  in  righteousness. 
Amen  and  amen. 

"  Now,  brother  Bill  and  Luke,  take  me  up  to  de 
mansion  house,  and  not  to  my  cabin.  I's  weak 
and  faint,  and  I's  got  a  word  for  massa  'fore  I 
goes  home  to  glory.  I  wants  my  missus  now, 
like  a  sick  child  wants  his  mother." 

The  judge  and  his  wife  received  old  Jack  very 
tenderly,  the  latter  mixing  a  reviving  cordial  for 
him. 

"Don't  you  know,  daddy,"  said  the  judge, 
pleasantly,  "  1  told  you  it  would  take  only  one 
more  camjhmeeting  to  make  an  end  of  you  ;  and 
I'm  afraid  I  spoke  the  truth." 

"  Dat's  so,  Massa  Henry,"  said  the  old  man, 
addressing  him  as  in  the  days  of  his  childhood. 
"  I  knowd  de  end  was  near,  and  I  wanted  to  go 
up  wid  a  shout ;  nnd  now  I's  got  my  staff  in  my 
hand,  and  has  come  to  bless  ycr  'fore  1  crosses 
over  Jordan.     Send  Luke  and  Jess  away  while  I 


184 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


tells  yer  and  missus  what  de  Lord  has  showed  me 
in  a  vision  dat's  comin'  on  dis  yere  country,  dat 
yer  may  repent,  and  believe,  and  flee  from  Sodom 
widout  lookin'  back.  Yer've  been  lovin'  and  kind 
to  yer  people,  but  foi  all  dat  de  Lord  has  somewhat 
against  yer." 

His  fellow  slaves  quietly  withdrew;  and  what 
he  said  to  his  "  owners "  none  ever  heard.  He 
talked  long  to  weeping  listeners,  while  all  others 
in  the  house  were  sleeping.  Then  he  sunk  back 
exhausted  in  the  great  leathern  chair,  and  said, 
"  De  long  day  breaketh,  I  must  be  gone." 

His  fellow  servants,  being  summoned  to  his  side, 
saw  that  he  was  dying.  It  was  too  late  to  remove 
him  to  his  own  cabin,  but  the  family  were  not  hor- 
ror-stricken at  the  thought  of  his  dying  where  he 
was.  Little  as  they  themselves  regarded  God  or 
his  claims  on  them,  they  believed  in  their  hearts 
that  old  Jack  was  an  heir  of  glory,  and  that  his 
crown  was  just  above  him ;  and  they  felt  it  an 
honor  to  serve  him. 

As  his  friends  wept  around  him  at  break  of  day, 
the  old  man  looked  on  them  for  a  moment,  and 
then  said,  as  if  suddenly  waking  from  a  dream, 
"  Weep  not  for  me,  but  weep  for  yerselves  and  yer 
chil'en  ;  for  de  days  of  darkness  cometh,  and  dcy 
shall  be  many.    De  chariots  of  Israel  and  de  boss- 


LAST  WORK  OP  PREACHING  JACK. 


185 


men  dereof,"  —  and  with  tliese  words  the  released 
Bpirit  soared  away  from  the  house  of  bondage,  leav- 
ing a  mantle  of  forgiveness  and  love  upon  those 
who  watched  its  happy  departure.  % 

.  In  the  morning  Weza  found  Mrs.  Huggins 
greatly,  subdued  in  spirit,  weeping  while  she  asked 
questions  about  the  prayer-meeting  which  was  held 
in  the  grove  after  her  departure.  "Oh,  goody 
me ! "  she  cried,  "  I  haint  got  no  comfort.  There's 
them  poor  ignorant  black  folks  so  happy  they  was 
most  wild  with  'ligion  and  a  wantin'  to  go  home 
to  God,  while  here  am  I,  white,  and  a  planter's 
wife,  a  livin'  in  a  mansion  house,  just  as  mise'ble 
as  1  can  be.  I'm  so  feared  of  death  that  I  can't 
take  no  comfort,  and  don't  get  over  anybody's 
dyin'  for  a  week,  fear  I'll  go  next.  And  this  hero 
camp-meetin'  will  keep  me  worked  up  a  thinkin' 
of  my  sins  and  sich  like,  till  somebody  else  dies,  I 
reckons,  and  that  will  stir  me  up  worse  and  worse 
agin." 

"  O,  no,  missus,"  said  Weza,  cheerfiilly,  "  dero 
won't  be  nobody  die  soon,  for  nobody's  sick  'bout 
here  now.  But  if  yer  will  sense  me  I'd  like  to  tell 
yer  de  way  to  get  a  peace  dat  can't  be  broke  up  by 
anybody's  death." 

"  I  know  what  yer  goin'  to  say— that  I  must  get 
'ligion,  but  it's  no  use  a  tryin'.     Huggins  is  nobody 


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186 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


to  help  luc  on,  and  I  don't  know  how  myself.     I 
used  lo  make  u{t  my  mind  every   liviu'  Sunday 
that  I  would  sure  get  'ligion  fore  ii»e  next  one. 
JBut  I   i)ut  it  off  and   off,  and  Huggins   got  sot 
agin  the  Colonel  about  paiutiu'  that  meetin'-housc, 
and  we  quit  goin',  and  that  turned  my  mind  off. 
So  now  when  I  goes  to  quai-terly  meetin'  all  I 
thinks  of  is  the  dresses  and  bonnets,  and  seein' 
whose  black  folks  is  the  best  dressed,  rnd  slch  like. 
But  yesterday  I  had  them  old  fec'.ina'  come  back 
agin,  and  I'd  half  a  mind  to  tell  Madam,  only  I 
thought  she'd  think  I'd  been  stealin'-or  somethin', 
to  feel  80  wicked." 

"  No,  miasua,  she  knows  what  db  fceliu'  is  when 
de  Lord  stirs  up  de  sinner;  and  she'd  be  do  very 
one  to  show  yer  de  way.  Zack  could  do  it,  but 
course  yer  would  rather  larn  of  a  lady  den  of  a 
poor  colored  man."' 

"Huggins  is  such  a  high-spirited  man  ho 
wouldn't  let  me  larn  of  either.  He'd  say  madam 
would  iiet  me  down  for  ignorant,  and  that  it  would 
be  stoopin'  to  talk  to  Zack.  But  I  do  hope  to 
goody  nobody  will  die  while  I  feel  this  worried 

way." 

At  this  moment  the  "  centaur  "  passed  the  win- 
dow and  cried  out,  "  Here's,  awful  news,  Wcza! 
Who  jhink  yer  is  dead  dls  mornin'  ? " 


■V 


1 

) 

I 

day 

)ne.                 • 

sot                    ■! 

use, 

off. 

11  I 

eiu' 
ike. 

)ack 

lin', 

hen                  I 

very 
but            • 

of  a 

ho 
dam 

ould 
0  to 

rricd 

wiu- 
^oza! 

i         \_ 

m 


Last  wobk  op  preaching  jack. 


187 


Both  women  ran  to  the  door,  when  Obed,  almost 
white  with  fear,  cried  out,  "  We's  lost  Pi-eachin' 
Jack.  He's  gone  up  to  glory  like  he  said  he 
would ;  and  now  who'll  ax  de  Lord  to  pity  and 
pave  us  ? "  and  the  poor  fellow  gave  vent  to  his 
feelings  in  a  flood  of  tears. 

•  Mrs.  Huggins  staggered  back  and  leaned  against 
the  wall,  aftd  with  her  hands  clasped  tight,  ex- 
claimed, "  This  liere  will  be  the  death  of  me  !  It 
can't  be  he's  dead,  Obed,  when  he  was  so  'live  just 
last  night." 

"  He  is,"  sighed  Obed,  "  for  on  my  way  to  de 
spring  I  just  rode  over  to  de  colonel's,  and  de 
judge  had  sent  for  Zack  for  to  get  up  a  big  funeral 
for  him.  Luke  said  how  dat  dere  was  a  cheriot 
made  out  of  fire  come  down  arter  his  soul,  and  he 
got  into  it  joyful  and  went  up,  a  leavin'  only  his 
body  behind.  And  de  missus  cried  like  she'd  lost 
her  father,  and  said  his  prayers  for  dat  ar  house 
was  ended  now." 

"0  deary  me,"  exclaimed  Mrs..  Huggins,  "it 
was  in  my  heart  lo  ax  for  his  prayers  'fore  I  come 
away  last  night,  but  I  thought  it  mought  look 
mean  and  8toopin',to  Madam.  But  oh,  now  I  wish 
I  had,  for  may  be  he'd  have  prayed  and  got  an- 
swered when  .he  was  so  close  to  heaven."     • 

"  Jesus  is  just  as  near  to  us  now,  missus,"  said 


mL~ 


r 


188 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Wcza,  "  as  he  was  to  old  Jack  last  night.  If  jcr 
ax  for  yerself  he'll  sure  hear,  and  answer,  and 
bless  yer." 

"  I  wouldn't  care  much  if  I  was  only  sure  T 
wouldn't  die  of  a  suddint,"  sobbed  "Mrs.  Hoggins. 
'Ligion  gives  a  body  a  safe  feelin',  1  reckons." 
'=  *'  0,  missus,"  cried  the  little  woman  mournfully, 
"  yer  oughter  care  if  ycr  was  goin'  to  live  forever. 
Yer  need  de  comfort  Jesus  gives  to  carry  yer 
through  de  wild'ness  ;  for  it  wont  always  go  easy 
wid  ye  ;  and,  above  all,  yer  oughter  seek  de  honor 
and  glory  of  God  more  den  yer  own  comfort." 

"  Be  they  goin'  to  have  a  mighty  big  funeral, 
Obod?*'  askett  Mrs.  Huggins,  whose  elastic  mind 
had  sprung  from  the  sad  subject  of  death  to  the 
great  gathering  it  would  occasion.  "The  judge 
set  such  heaps  by  Jack,  and  then  he's  always 
proud  of  doing  the  biggest  things  for  Us  people. 
I  shouldn't  wonder  if  he  invited  all  the  white  folks 
about,  and  had  everything  as  fine  as  if  Jack  was 
white." 

"  Why,"  cried  Obed,  "  Luke  reckoned  he'd  put 
up  a  headstone  for  him,  tellin'  '  Well  done,  good 
and  faithful  sarvant '  onto  it,  as  a  zample  to  do 
rest  on  us  to  work  smart  like  Jack  use  to  when 
he  was  young." 

"  Well,  Weza,  yer  mought  cs  well  have  all  my 


m^jttWniH^tHi 


Ji 


< 

1 

.'  t--'    ■                   ' 

ycr      . 

« 

and 

re  1 

ins.               » 

^iiy,              \ 

sver. 

• 

yer 

easy 

3nor 

Bi-al, 

aiud                    ' 

tho 

idgo 

, 

LAST  WOUK   OP  PUEACHING  JACK. 


189 


things  brushed  up  smart;  for  if  other  white  folks 
go,  I'll  go  too.  And  I'll  see  if  I  can't  get  yer 
niassa  to  let  yer  all  go, — though  there's  been  such 
loss  of  time  by  tho  camp-meetin'  that  I  'spect  he'll 
growl  like  a  bear  when  I  ax  him.  Ho  thinks 
'ligion  and  funerals  is  a  mighty  hindrance  to  work, 
and  that,  twixt  the  two  he  can't  get  nothing  done 
on  his  plantation  year  in  and  year  out." 


I     ■ 


•^1 


"im  H'    :.    .'.i.    jjf,,     ,.*.8C     ,,    .-,,,*     ,', 


JL 


CHAPTER  XV. 


A  VISIT   FROM   ZACK'S   MASTER. 


' 


THE  months  grew  into  years,  and  still  the  little 
woman  toiled  away  cueerfuUy^  daily  thanking 
God  for  the  great  gift  of  the  "  strong  heart  to  lean 
agin,"  and  looking  hopefully  forward  to  some  news 
from  her  boys.    One  day  Zack's  master,  while  on 
his  annual  visit  to  his  uncle,  the  colonel,  rode  over 
to  see  Huggins,  and  to  ask  some  questions  about 
Weza,  in  whom,  for  Zack's  sake,  he  felt  an  inter- 
est.   Huggins  was  very  nervous  at  sight  of  him, 
fancying  he  had  come  to  spy  into  or  to  meddle 
with  his  affairs.    He  had  decided  on  meeting  a 
haughty  young  nabob  who  would  either  scorn  or 
ridicule  him,  and  resolved  to  be  out  of  the  way 
on  his  arrival.    But  as  usual,  he  was  not  smart 
enough  to  carry  out  his  plan.    The  gentleman 
rode  up  on  horseback  while  he  was  still  at  his 
breakfast.      Huggins  had    two  sound    "cheers" 
taken  to  the  veranda,  and  going  out,  he  braced 

190 


1 

'■-->' -si       ,_     . 

I       • 

little 

nking            "    ' 

3  lean 

news 

lile  on            •   - 

3  over 

about 

• 

inter- 

f  him, 

aeddle                  ' 

ting  a 

orn  or 

e  way 
smart 

klcman 

at  his 

leers  " 

braced 

•   - 

A   VISIT  FHOM   ZACk'S  MASTER. 


191 


himself  against  the  assault  he  expected,  with  his 
brows  knit  in  a  terrific  manner.  The  gentleman 
met  him  most  graciously,  not  casting  one  glance 
at  his  disordered  garments,  nor  yet  at  his  premi- 
ses, till  Huggins  himself  began  to  wonder  "  where 
on  arth  he  put  his  eyes."  He  spoke  in  a  subdued 
tpne,  and  took  the  offered  seat.  After  the  ordinary 
preliminaries  he  said,  "  I  suppose  you  are  aware, 
Mr.  Huggins,  that  Zack  is  my  man,  and  not  my 
uncle's  ?  " 

"  Yes,  so  the  Colonel  told  me,"  replied  Huggins, 
gruffly. 

"  Did  he  tell  you  why  I  sent  him  up  here  ? " 

"  He  said  you  did  it  for  yer  own  convenience, 
and  I  had  my  suspicions  at  first  that  yer  was 
afeared  of  yer  life  —  he  is  inch  a  savage-lookin' 
fellow.  But  since  he  •  married  my  woman,  I've 
given  that  up,  findin'  him  peaceable  and  good- 
natured." 

The  gentleman  smiled  and  said,  "  Parting  with 
this  man  was  one  of  the  trials  of  my  life.  No 
money  could  have  bought  him  from  me.  But  my 
wife  took  a  terrible  dislike  to  him  from  tlie  hour 
she  came  to  my  house,  and  could  not  bo  happy 
while  he  was  about.  Thus,  for  years,  I  have  kept 
him  here,  and  no  one  knows  how  I  have  missed 
him.    My  wife  has.  recently  died,  and  I  have  com© 


192 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS, 


I 


for  Zack  to  take  charge  of  my  plantation ;  and  as 
it  ia  against  my  principle  to  separate  husband  and 
wife"  —  that  was  all  that  had  prevented  his  doing 
it  nearer  home  long  ago  — '.'  I  came  in  to  ask  if 
you  would  sell  the  woman." 

"  No,"  said  Huggins,  with  decision,  "  I  can't 
])art  with  her ;  she's  so  good  to  my  wife,  and  don't 
have  no  company  a  I'unnin',  and  keeps  the  men's 
clothes  together,  and  is  a  good  woman  in  gineral, 
mostly.  And  if  I  did  want  to  sell  her,  yer 
wouldn't  be  willing  to  pay  the  worth  of  her." 

"  I  will  give  you  a  hundred  dollars  more  than 
any  of  your  neighbors  will  name  as  the  market 
value  of  the  woman,"  said  the  gentleman.      ■  i  '   ■<' 

"  0'  course  my  neighbors  would  go  agin  me,  and 
put  her  value  down  to  help  yer,"  said  Hugging, 
sourly.  •  ..         ^, 

"  I  don't  know  why ;  all  but  my  uncle  are 
strangers  to  me.  But  set  your  own  price  and 
perhaps  I  will  give  that.  I  want  the  man,  and  he 
is  not  willing  to  go  without  his  wife." 

"  Ha ! "  cried  Huggins,  "  I'd  like  to  have  him 
tell  me  that  if  T  owned  him.  I'd  break  his  '  will ' 
or  I'd  break  his  neck,  one  or  t'other."  i.   ;«.  * 

If  the  stranger  had  not  heard  of  Huggins  before 
he  might  have  thought  him  a  monster  of  cruelty, 
and  have  given  him  a  lesson  on  mercy  ;  as  it  was, 


\ 


A   VISIT   PROM  "zACK'S  MASTER. 


193 


he  only  smiled,  and  said,  "  I  have,  no  desire  to 
bi-euk  either  hia  will  or  his  neck,  and  so  I  came 
here  to  see  if  I  could  get  him  home  in  an  easier 
way  without  worrying  either  him  or  his  wife." 

"Missus!"  called  Huggins  in  at  the  window, 
"do  you  want  to  sell  yer  little  won, an  for  a  hun- 
dred more  than  I  paid  for  her  ?  " 

"  No,  yer  knows  I  don  t,  and  I  reckon  that  rich 
folks  might  have  better  business  timn  a  worryin' 
me  when  I'm  so  miae'ble  in  health  anJ  so  stiff  in 
thejints.  Aint  there  no  women  left  in  the  world 
but  just  only  my  woman  ?  " 

"  Two  hundred  more  ?  "  continued  Huggins,  in  a 
tantalizing  tone. 

"  No,  I  tell  yer.     Didn't  I  settle  that  ar  when 
the  Colonel  wanted  her  ?  "      * 
"  Three  hundred  more  ?  " 

"  I  reckons  yer  better  quit  auctionin'  her  up  that 
way.  I'll  git  hysterics  if  yer  don't  stop."  This 
was  a  new  accomplishment  "missus"  had  acquired, 
by  which  she  could  bring  Huggins  to  terms  when 
the  plea  of  "  stiflf  jints  "  failed,  and  she  was  too 
tired  to  talk. 

"Pour  hundred?     Zack's    owner's    here,  and 

wants  her."  ;  . 

"  Don't  care  if  the  king  of  England  wants  her ; 

he  sha'n't  have  her  and  there's  an  end  on't,"  cried 


'?■ 


ssss 


194 


OUT  OP  THE* WILDERNESS, 


(( 


missus,"  removing  a  supporting  boot-jack  and  let- 
ting the  window  down  with  a  crash. 

"  It's  no  use  talkin',  sir,  she  says  '  no,'  and  she's 
as  stiff  as  a  mule  when  she's  once  sot  on  a  thing," 
said  Huggins. 

The  gentleman  looked  troubled,  and  said,  ad- 
dressing the  window  in  a  loud  tone  —  for  Mrs. 
Huggins  herself  was  invisible  — "  Madam,  I  will 
giv<  you  a  new  horse  of  your  own  selection,  if  you 
will  let  me  'ake  the  woman." 

*'  I  -.yon't !  "  was  the  prompt  reply  of  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins, "  so  yer  can  clar,  now.  I  never  had  no  peace 
nor  no  rest  in  life  till  I  got  this  little  woman,  and 
I'll  keep  her  till  I  die,  see  if  I  don't." 

"I  doubt  that,  madam,"  rep' i ad  the  gentleman. 
"  I.  think  none  of  u^will  keep  our  servants  till  we 
die,  unless  our  lives  shall  be  very  short." 

"  Why,  sir,"  asked  Huggins,  animated  by  alarm ; 
"  there  aint  no  more  news  'bout  that  ar  muss  in 
Congress,  is  thar  ?  I  haint  seen  a  paper  for  two 
weeks,  but  my  men  gets  all  the  news,  and  I  over- 
i.oars  'em  tellin'  it  to  each  other,  nights,  mostly."   (j 

"  There's  nothing  new,  but  the  thing  is  moving 
on,  step  by  step,  and  I  have  no  doubt  it  will  end  in 
war,"  replied  the  stranger. 

Huggins  threw  up  his  hands  and  uttered  an 
oath,  a  thing  he  never  did  except  when  awfully 


i 


'. 


'  ■  iiV  li^f  ~-«-H'it-'^^^^'<^'l'''l'''ih«f''"t^'rr  . 


WiMylriiW'itW'ftiit'^- 


mmi 


A   VISIT  FROM   ZACK's  MASTER. 


195 


^red  an 
awfully 


excited  and  off  bis  guard,  for  he  was  not  a  profane 
man. 

"  Suppose  worst  coines  to  worst,"  ho  asked, 
"  whar  will  the  fight  be  ?  I  hope  the  Yankees 
will  take  us  on  our  own  ground.  The  blacks 
would  stand  by  us  to  a  man,  and  we'd  grind  the 
•North  down  to  powder,  wo  would."  Hero  Hug- 
gins  rose  up,  set  his  teeth  firmly,  clenched  his 
great  fists  and  shook  them  vigorously,  as  if  he 
held  every  man  of  the  free  North  in  their  grasp. 

"  I  don't  believe  the  slaves  will  stand  by  us, 
friend,"  said  the  gentleman,  "  and  I  shall  despise 
them  if  thoy  do.  If  I  was  one,  I'd  make  common 
cause  with  the  North,  if  I  had  to  shed  my  last  drop 
of  blood  in  the  fight.  We're  a  barbarous  race  to 
hold  our  fellow  men  in  slavery  here  in  the  nine- 
teenth century.  My  only  wonder  is  that  God 
has  not  wiped  us  off  the  face  of  his  earth.  I  have 
felt  this  ever  since  I  knew  right  from  wrong,  and 
heard  the  subject  discussed  in  the  parlor  or.  one 
side,  and  in  the  kitchen  on  the  other.  I  always 
meant  to  liberate  my  people  when  I  came  into  pos- 
session of  them.  But  I  married,  and  my  wife's 
views  were  not  like  mine :  so  the  matter  has 
slipped  along.  I  have  been  told  that  Zack's 
mother,  a  noble  woman,  whom  they  called  '  the 
Queen  of  Sheba,'  had  a  revelation  of  what  I  think 


iiSd        i.. 


196 


OtJT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


is  now  coming.  She  told  my  mother  that  God 
hud  promised  to  hide  her  safe  from  it,  hut  that 
Zack  would  see  it ;  and  she'bound  him  over  when 
a  l)oy  never  to  run  off,  but  to  stand  by  his  own 
people  in  the  evil  day." 

"  Then  Til  warn  yer  he'll  play  traitor  if  there's 
trouble,  and  jine  the  Yankees,  he  will,"  cried 
Hufigins. 

The  gentleman  made  no  reply  to  this,  but  said, 
"If  that  prophecy  is  fulfilled,  you'll  lose  your 
woman  ;  so  you  might  as  well  sell  her  for  a  high 
price  and  save  any  risk  of  the  money." 

"  That's  true,  but  I  can't  mar-'ge  niy  wife  no 
how ;  and  the  truth  is  I'm  afeared  to  try.  And 
Weza  aint  good  for  much,  neither,"  said  Huggins, 
by  way  of  reconciling  the  gentleman  to  the  disap- 
pointment. "  She  was  sold  off  from  her  two  boys 
when  a  Dr.  Percy's  'state  was  settled  up  in  the 
city,  and  she's  awful  mise'ble  at  times,  and  can't 
hardly  work,  thinkin'  'bout  *em."  '' 

"  Did  she  belong  to  Dr.  Percy  ?  I  know  his 
heir  well.  That  young  mulatto  of  his  used  to 
set  up  the  pins  for  us  when  we  were  playing 
together.  Did  Percy  never  write  to  let  the  poor 
mother  know  that  he  had  sold  her  boy  ?  " 

"  He  don't  know  whar  she  is,"  replied  Huggins, 
"  for  she's  been  sold  twice  since  ti>e  doctor's  death. 


*"ii  I I  ■  II 


.* jirw  TiP''A4imni<ifmUMtiifMiai tuiiKt^imi aafsmm»m»it»n»kxmm:»arm0aiimtiimrm ^wJtiir 


God 

;  that 

when 

B  own 

there's 
cried 

t  said, 

le  your 

a  high 

wife  no 
f.  And 
luggins, 
e  disap- 
iwo  boys 
in  the 
id  can't 

tnovr  his 
used  to 
playing 

|the  poor 

[uggins, 
ks  death. 


%. 


A   VISIT   PROM   ZACF's  MASTER. 


197 


She  thought  he  liked  the  boy  too  well  to  part  with 
him,  and  hopca  to  get  at  him  some  time." 

"  A  lady  from  Florida  took  such  a  fancy  to  the 
fellow  that  she  offered  Percy  more  than  he  could 
refuse, —  he's  very  fond  of  money, — and  he  took  it, 
though  he  was  sorry  he  did,  before  they  got  off. 
Can't  you  get  any  clew  to  the  other  boy  ? "  asked 
the  gentleman. 

"  The  man  that  bought  him  writ  a  letter  to  the 
first  man  that  bought  her ;  and  his  overseer  writ 
one  to  me ;  but  that  lazy  Obe  of  mine  lost  it  on 
thQ  way  from  the  Fost  Office,  so  I  never  knowed 
who  it  was  from,  nor  whar  to  answer,  nor  noUiiu." 

"  How  did  you  know  it  was  from  him,  then  ?  " 
•  asked  the  gentleman. 

Huggins  turned  all  colors,  and  replied,  "  Oh,  no, 
that  was  another  letter.  My  wife  lighted  her  pipe 
with  this  one  'fore  I  got  it  half  read." 

"  What  a  lie  ! "  cried  the  injured  lady,  who  had 
slipped  the  boot-jack  softly  under  the  window 
again.  "  That's  the  only  let  ^  we  ever  had,  and 
yer  couldn't  find  it  when  Madam  Leon  offered  for 
to  answer  it,  'cause  our  pen  was  rusty  and  our  ink 
dried  up." 

"Well,"  said  the  gentleman,  rising,  "  it  is  of  no 
use  to  waste  any  more  words  about  Zack's  wife. 
If  you  won't  let  her  go,  he  will  have  to  leave  her 


M 


I 


198 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


beliiiKl ;  for  I  must  have  him  for  a  while.  I  shall 
let  him  come  to  see  her  as  often  as  he  pleases ;  and 
as  he  has  full  liberty,  he'll  be  pretty  sure  to 
smuggle  her  off  some  time.  I  advise  you  to  sell 
her  while  you  can." 

As  he  left  the  house  he  was  assailed  by  a  voUejr 
of  words  which  proved  that  one  member,  at  least, 
of  Mrs.  Huggins'  body  was  not  "  stiff  in  the  jiuts." 

When  the  gentleman  had  gone,  Huggins  heard 
the  sound  of  ;yeeping  in  the  kitchen,  and  went  out. 
But  ho  had  no  word  of  comfort  for  the  stricken 
Weza;  ho  only  said,  "'Member  now,  yer  gin  me 
a  vow  when  I  let  yer  get  married  that  yer'd  stay 
here  till  yer  died,  'less  yer  got  yer  liberty.  Now, 
if  evei-  yer  speak  o'  goiu'  with  Zack,  I  shall  know  ' 
that  yor  'ligion  has  te  \ched  yer  to  lie  to  me  and 
to  rob  me,  and  to  be  cniel  to  yer  poor  sick  missus 
that's  so  good  to  yer.  Now  step  smart  and  make 
the  boys'  hoc-cake,  for  they'll  soon  be  in  from  the 
field." 

And  the  poor  heart  was  again  driven  back  into 
the  deep,  dark  wilderness. 


T 


i» 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

HUGOmS  GETS  RID   OP  ZACK. 

WHEN  the  men  had  eaten  their  hoe-cako  and 
gone  back  to  the  field,  and  the  heart-broken 
"little  brown  woman"  had  taken  refuge  in  the 
great  empty  chamber  where  she  slept,  Huggins 
closed  the  doors  and  windows,  and  drew  his  chair 
up  close  to  his  wife's  for  a  confidential  talk.  She 
was  not  in  good  humor,  being  sorely  vexed  by  the 
offer  of  Zack's  owner,  and  angry  at  Huggins  for 
"  not  threatenin'  to  shoot  him,  as  any  man  that 
was  half  a  man  would  ha'  done." 

"  Come,  now,  cheer  up,  missus,"  said  Huggins, 
as  he  took  her  pipe  and  filled  it,  with  unwonted 
gallantry  ;  "  yer  best  days  is  ahead  yet.  I'm  more 
pleased  'bout  Zack's  goin'  off  than  I  would  be  by 
the  gift  of  a  new  '  hand.'  I've  always  felt  since 
he  come  about  like  'sif  I  had  an  overseer  a  watch- 
in'  of  me  to  see  if  I  kep'  my  place  up  smart  and 
used  my  people  well.     When  I  tell  any  thin'  afore 

199 


•*l 


Bl 


200 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


him  he  looks  into  my  eyes  as  if  he  was  watohin' 
to  ketcli  me  iu  a  lie,  uud  I've  been  afeared  to  work 
Weza  enough  to  make  licr  pay,  kuowin'  every 
liviu'  thing  was  carried  buck  to  the  Colonel's  and 
sot  down  ag=u  me  for  '  meanness.'  Now  I'm  goin' 
to  begin  all  new,  and  see  if  I  can't  get  work  done 
like  other  planters  does.  I'll  lay  down  laws,  and 
I'll  pint  my  gun  at  the  first  man  that  breaks  'em. 
I'm  goin'  to  put  that  tattlin'  Obed  to  work,  —  he 
travels  enough  to  kill  a  strong  man ;  and  Weza 
can  do  all  iii  the  house,  and  help  hoe  when  our 
work  gits  the  upper  hand  on  us  —  as  it  always 

docs." 

Mrs.  Huggins  turned  her  bick  on  her  husband, 
hitched  her  "cheer"  further  from  him  two  or 
three  limes,  and  pulTcd  away  at  her  pipe  with  un- 
common activity,  looking  much  like  a  little  steam 
tug  laboring  to  get  out  of  port. 

"  Ycr  may  get  rid  of  Zack,  and  work  Obe  to 
death,  and  make  new  laws,  and  any  thin'  else,  but 
yer  shan't  send  my  little  woman  to  the  fields  when 
I  aint  able  to  git  out  o'  my  cheer  without  pain," 
she  said,  with"  spirit. 

"  Everythiu's  goin'  to  destruction  now,"  moaned 
Huggins.  .<        ^ 

"  Course  it  is ;  yer  haint  just  found  it  out,  have 
yer  ?  "  cried  Mrs.  Huggins.     "  I  don't  keer  if  it 


I  I  * 


( 


^^ 


wmm 


BVOO^^'.a  GETS  BID  OP  ZACK. 


201 


* 


<  I  * 


all  goes  to  mill.  I  haint  no  heirs  to  leave  it  to 
when  I'm  dead  and  gone.  All  I  cares  for  is  to 
take  life  a  bit  easier  while  I  lasts.  But  every  body 
is  agin  me  as  if  they  wanted  to  work  me  to 
death." 

"  Who's  agin  ycr  ?  I  reckons  'taint  me,"  said 
her  husband, 

"  Well,  the  Colonel's  aching  to  buy  Weza,  and 
now  this  hero  new  man,  he  wants  her,  and  like's 
not  Zack  '11  want  her  too.  When  I've  fit  'em  all 
off,  then  yer,  that  vowed  to  love,  honor  and  obey 
me,  turns  round  and  talks  about  first  workin'  her 
to  death  in  doors  and  then  sendin'  her  to  the  field 
over  hours.  She  won't  do  it,  no  how,"  said 
missus. 

Huggins  took  good  care  not  to  press  the  matter, 
and  rising  up,  tried  to  beat  an  honorable  retreat, 
but  he  was  thwarted  by  the  ever-victorious  foe. 

"  Sit  down  there,"  she  said,  pointing  to  "i  chair ; 
and  he  dropped  into  it  as  if  he  had  been  brought' 
down  by  the  magic  of  the  gun  which  even  Zack's 
skill  had  failed  to  make  anything  but  harmless. 

"  If  I  was  a  great  big  white  man  like  yer,"  she 
continued,  "  I'd  be  ashamed  to  own  I  was  afeard 
of  a  black  man.  I'd  have  more  spcrit  than  that. 
It  makes  me  ashamed  to  bo  yer  wife.  If  I'd  a 
married  the  Colonel  when  I  was  a  gal .  I  wouldn^t 


202 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


have  been  the  wife  of  a  coward  nor  yet  been 
worried  to  death  by  work,  as  I  be.  I'd  a  been  a 
lady,  I  would." 

"  Why  didn't  yer  marry  him,  then  ? "  asked 
Hugging,  plucking  up  a  Uttle  courage. 

"Never  see  him  till  he'd  been  married  for 
years,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins,  with  a  sadness  in 
which  the  Colonel  would  probably  not  have  sympa- 
thized. "  But  there's  no  use  cryin'  over  spilt  milk ; 
so  I  may  as  well  make  the  best  of  the  one  I've  got, 
and  control  him  as  well  as  I  can." 

"  I  ain't  a  coward,"  growled  Dave. 

"  Is  that  ere  so  ? "  asked  Mrs.  Huggins  ;  "  yer 
surprises  me  with  the  news.  What  yer  goiu'  to 
say  to  Zack  when  he  comes  over  here,  —  for  come 
he  will,— to  beg  yer  to  sell  Weza,  'fore  this  ^  .y's 
over?" 

"  I'm  goin'  down  river  in  an  hour  and  shan't  be 
back  till  him  and  his  master's  gone.  If  he  comes, 
*  yer  tell  him  I  was  right  sorry  not  to  see  him  'fore 
he  went,  and  that  I  wish  him  well,  and  that  if  it 
wasn't  for  yer  enjoying  such  abominable  bad  health 
I'd  sold  Weza  for  his  sake." 

"  Humph  ! "  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  "  if  I  was  a 
coward  I  wouldn't  be  a  hypocrite  too." 

"  If  I  get  his  ill  will  he'll  like's  not  coax  Weza 
off,  and  I  suspicion  his  master  would  help  him  do 


' 


I 


J,  J 


I 


^B» 


.y's 


■ 


HU0GIN8  GETS   RID  OF   ZACK.  208 

it,"  replied  Dave.  "  He  talks  like  the  onprinci- 
plest,  hcatheuist,  bloodthirstiost  abolitiouist  that 
ever  raved  and  tore  about ;  and  if  he  lived  near 
me  he'd  stand  a  chance  o'  tar  and  feather,  he 
would." 

"  Pho ! "  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  scornfully.     «  He'd 
get  all  his  'cendiary  work  done  'fore  yer  got  out 
.   o'  yer  cheer.    When  are  yer  goin'  to  get  off  out 
of  Zack's  way,  did  yer  say  ?  " 

"  Wei),  I  thought  I  mought  go  in  'bout  an  hour  ; 
he  won't  come  over  till  his  teams  is  in  for  the 
day,"  replied  Huggins,  stretching  himself  out  on 
two  chpirs  for  a  rest. 

"  He  wont,  ha !  Well,  look  out  o'  the  window, 
and  tell  me  who's  that  on  a  fine  hoss  comin'  up 
our  lane :  ha !  " 

"Oh,  my  goodness  stars!"  cried  Huggins. 
«  He's  come  to  bid  her  good-by ;  and  he'll  sure  lay 
a  plot  with  her  to  'scape  if  I  leave  'em  alone  a 
minute.  Yer  go  up  and  tell  lier  not  to  come  out 
o'  that  are  room  to  the  peri!  of  her  life.  Tell  lier 
I've  gone  ravin'  crazy,  and  am  flying  about  here 
with  a  gun  and  yer  expect  every  minute  I'll  shoot 
yer.  Turn  the  key  on  her  to  keep  her  safe.  Oh, 
goodness !  there  ain't  no  key  !  O.der  her  fierce  to 
Btay  where. she  is,  and  I'll  go  out  and' tell  him 
she's  gone  down  to  ^he  Bend  for  a  pair  of  shoes." 


f-.  ■> 


«.»  n)  MH  iiji  >  I  |ii  jiij  I  III  ;  J  r  ii)^J^m)iii)mt^iitt»k^^^iflitti^ 


204 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


And  with  this  weak  fiction  on  liis  lips  Dave 
went  to  the  side  door  to  meet  Zack.  But  that 
independent  son  of  Ham  was  armed  with  his 
savage  look,  which  ho  could  j)ut  on  or  off  at 
will ;  and  without  even  a  ''  good  day,  massa,"  he 
called  out  in  thunder  tones  which  shook  poor 
Huggins'  very  soul,  "  1  want  to  see  my  wife, 
massa." 

"  She's  a  —  a  —  gone  —  to  the  a  —  Bend  —  a  — 
tea — buy  shoes." 

"  Massa  Iluggins,  she's  a  gone  nowhars.  I  can 
tell  by  yor  eye  she's  in  dis  yore  house.  Can  yer 
make  me  believe  dat  when  her  pour  little  heart's  a 
bustin'  'bout  losin'  me,  dat's  all  she »  got  in  de 
world,  she'd  go  otf  for  such  a  paltry  thing  as 
shoes  is,  'stead  o'  havin'  a  last  word  wid  me  ?  No, 
sir,  yer  can't  fool  me  dis  way.  Call  her  out  here, 
will  yer,  please  ?  "  —  and  the  scowl  Zack  put  on 
was  enough  to  terrify  a  braver  man  than  his 
antagonist.  ^ 

In  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  a  slave  addressing  any 
planter  in  this  independent  ityle  would  have  been 
slipt  on  the  spot.  But  Zack  knew  his  ground  and 
his  man,  and  had  come  prej  'ed  for  a  little  harm- 
less artiace,  hoping  to  accomplish  by  fear  what  hi^ 
master  hod  failed  to  do  by  money.  He  knew  that 
fts  Huggins  stuad  alone  iu  that  neighborhood,  and 


f 


-^«'iiiin,i'lfi'ii|)ii'l>i»yfjir|'iW»'jWi)i. 


HUQGIN8  GETS   RID  OF   ZACK. 


205 


was  a  laughing  stock  for  both  whites  and  blacks, 
his  course  would  be  regarded  as  a  good  joke  by 
all ;  and  that  his  master  and  tlie  Colonel  were  at 
home  waiting  to  hear  of  his  success. 
^  He  got  off  his  horse  aud  hitched  hm  to  a  post, 
and  Iheu  said,  looking  Huggins  in  the  eye,  "  Call 
my  wife.  She's  mine,  for  do  Lord  gin  her  to  me, 
aud  I'll  have  her,  too,  'fore  she's  much  older." 

Huggins  opened  the  door  of  "  missus'  room,"  and 
asked,  "  Has  Wcza  got  back  from  the  Bend  yet  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  said  "  missus,"  between  the  puffs  of 
smoke,  "  she's  been  back  half  an  hour.  Go  call 
her.  Zack,  come  iu,  poor  fellow.  I'm  right  sorry 
for  yer  and  Weza ;  she's  a'most  v,ild,  and  if  I 
wasn't  so  mise'ble  I'd  make  Huggins  sell  her  to 
yor  master." 

"  Dat  ar  would  be  fur  yer  mterest,  missus,"  re- 
plied Zack,  "  for  yer  won't  have  her  long,  no  way. 
But  settle  it  to  suit  yerself.  My  part  of  de  bar- 
gain will  be  a  heap  better  den  yer'^.  Dere's  a  war 
just  'pon  us,  and  Massa  Linkum,  what's  got  hold 
of  de  reins,  he'll  drive  powerful,  I  tell  yer.  Dere's 
been  heaps  of  talkin'  and  prayiu'  'bout  him  dat 
yer  haint  heerd  on ;  and  de  Lord  lias  clothed  him 
wid  iron  and  brass  aud  put  de  'vengcr's  sword 
into  his  hand  and  a  woman's  heart  into  his  breast ; 
and  now  he's  goin'  forth  a  conquerin'  and  for  tg 


^'*'ii>ijl%iii,if>ijiiiiii 


^"~"~"—  :"f|f'';i'i  'iimrri'iiirii 


-A 


206 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


conquer.  His  work  —  what  de  Lord  made  him 
'special  for — is  to  break  de  fetters  of  de  slave 
and  to  set  de  'pressed  free.  De  black  folks  says 
he  was  born  wid  a  '  glory '  round  his  head  like  de 
Virgin  Mary  and  her  child  and  some  of  do  'postles. 
Any  how  he's  de  great  Moses  dat's  to  d'liver  out 
of  de  second  bondage  by  turnin'  de  rivers  to  blood, 
and  slayin'  de  first  horned,  and  such  like  judgment 
on  de  Pharaohs  and  de  'Gyptians  of  dis  day." 

"  The  papers  tells  that  he's  low-born  and  bred," 
said  Mrs.  Huggins,  "  and  it  must  be  so,  for  I've 
heerd  that  every  thiu's  as  true  as  the  gospel  that's 
put  into  newspapers." 

"  Den  dere's  some  hard  things  'mong  us.  De 
judge  takes  a  paper  from  de  North,  de  Triboon, 
and  dere's  hard  talk  agin  de  South  into  it.  Luke 
gits  de  readin'  on't  'fore  de  judge  does."  .     ; 

"  0'  course  that's  full  of  lies.  Every  paper  and 
everybody  lies  there  to  the  North.  But  our  pa- 
pers, that's  all  true,  says  that  this  yere  Lincoln 
was  low  born,  and  aiut  no  way  fit  to  rule  over  gen- 
tlemen ;  and  {hat  he  was  brung  up  in  a  log  cabin 
and  never  lived  in  no  mansion  house  in  his  life  ; " 
and  the  mistress  of  this  mansion  house  drew 
herself  up  in  conscious  superiority  over  Abraham 
Lincohi.  "  They  mought  better  a  pitched  on  Hug- 
gins  for  President,"  she  continued.    "He  never 


.....J-^ 


HOGGINS  GETS  RID  OP  ZACK. 


207 


|5 


J 


lived  in  a  log  cabin,  and  he  wouldn't  a  worried  the 
South  this  erg  way  ;  and  he'd  a  let  'em  just  move 
ou  as  they  was  mind  to,  and  the  Noi-th  too,  for  all 
he'd  care." 

This  was  too  much  for  Zack,  who  was  well 

posted  up  in  public  iu„tter8  through  the  slaves  that 

.   went  to  the  post-office.     And  forgetting  for  the 

moment  the  sad  errand  on  which  he  had  come,  he 

burst  out  laughing. 

Mrs.  Huggius  smiled  too,  not  seeing  the  point  of 
the  jolce. 

"  I  don't  wonder  yer  laugh,"  she  said.    "  The 
idea  of  gittin'  a  President  out  of  a  log  cabin !  " 

"Missus,"  said  Zack,  solemnly,  "we  got  a 
greater  den  he  out  of  a  stable  once.  Look  how 
low  born  de  great  Deliverer  was  in  de  eyes  of 
proud  man.  But  half  de  univarse  bows  to  him 
now,  and  t'other  half's  got  to  do  it  yet.  De  babe 
in  de  manger,  de  man  o'  Calvary,  he  is  de  King  o' 
Glory.  So  God  does  his  big  work  by  dem  dat's 
poor  in  dis  world.''     • 

"  Why,  Zack,  yer  talks  a'most  like  Preachin' 
Jack  uoe  to,"  said  Mrs.  Huggins,  in  surprise. 

"Thankee,  missus,  but  Vs  in  a  big  hurry  dis 
time.  Will  yer  please  to  call  Weza,  wharever  she 
is?"        .o.^v.-  -■:.■:/. ..W'.. .;,,,.   ,..,..rr--  .     .-,.-.?•. 

"  I  sent  Huggins  to  call  her  long  'go ;  and  there 


208 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


ho  is  now  just  a  slioutln'  from  the  bottom  of  the 
stairs.  A  body  can't  get  a  thing  done  in  this  yer 
world  "thout  they  up  and  does  it  thciiselvcs. 
Now,  Zack,  yer  tell  her  to  be  cheerful  and  con- 
tented, and  I  reckons  when  Christmas  comes 
'bout  agin  we'll  sell  her  to  yer  owner.  Mought  be 
I'll  be  smart,  gin  that  time  and  have  a  new  woman 
to  fill  her  place."  But  this  prospect  did  not  elate 
Zack  very  much.     He  saw  the  die  was  cast. 

"  Dcrc  she  comes,"  he  said ;  "  I  hears  her  slow 
step  on  de  stairs—  poor  little  woman."     Wcza  en- 
tered the  door  he  had  opened  for  her,  and  with 
that  livid   look  so  striking  in  those  of  her  race 
when  suffering,  she  sank  into  a  chair.     Zack  folded 
his  arms  and   threw  back  his   brawny  shoulders, 
straightening  himself  up  to  his  full  height,  and 
looked  at  her  pitifully.    "  Lord  of  heavens  !  "  he 
cried,  "isn't  dis  ycre'a  sight  to  make  de  angels 
groan  ?     A  great  man  like  me  wid  a  immortal  soul 
and  a  lovin'  heart  into  him,  to  stand  here  and  see 
de  woman  dat  God's  giu  him  for  his  own,  caged 
up  like   a  poor  mouse,  and  can't  lift  a  finger  to 
loose  hci.     Can  it  be  dat  I's  a  man,  dat  I's  born 
una  brung  up  in  free  'Merica  ?     Mought  be  I's  only 
a  brute  all  dis  time,  and  been  dreamin'  I's  a  man 
wid  de  love  of  man  into  me.     No,  no,  no!  dcre's  a 
soul  inside  o'  me,  and  a  soul  inside  of  dat  dear 


HUOOINS  GETS  BID   OP  ZACK. 


209 


little  woman  dat  I'd  a  gin  my  life  for.     God  made 
us  all  right;  but  man,  starred  up  by  de  devil,  lias 
put  us  whar  we  be.     But,  dear  Lord,  his  breath  is 
only  in  his  nostrils,  and  dou  can  carry  him  'way 
wid  a  flood  and  set  my  people  free." 
The  entry  door  was  open  on  a  crack  and  Hug- 
.  gins'  left  ear  was  quite  visible  there ;  so  Zack  con- 
tinued this   soliloquy   for  his   benefit.     Then   lie 
said,  «  Massa  Huggius,  open  dat  ar  door  wider ! 
I'll  just  say  yer  may  thank  God  dat  I's  a  Christian 
—  dat  I's   born  agin  — dat  old  things   is  passed 
away  and  all  is  new  inside  o'  me  !    For  if  I  didn't 
love  Jesus  and  seek  for  to  honor  and  glorify  him, 
I  "believe  in  my  heart  I'd  kill  de  man  dat  wouldn't 
let  my  wife  go  when  he's  offered  a  big  price  for 
her !    But  every  one  dat  walks  arter  him  has  got 
to  wear  a  crown  like  de  Jews  put  onto  his  dear 
head,  and  has  got  to  take  a  cross  up  hill  on  his 
shoulders,  like  he  did.     Dis  yere  partin'  is  my 
crown  o'  thorns  and  my  cross  full  of  naUs,  but  de 
dear  Lord  will  ease  de  crown  wid  his  hand  and 
lift  one  end  of  de  cross  for  me !     And  what  I  can't 
do  for  to  comfort  Weza's  broke  heart  de  Lord  will 
do !    Madam  Leon  send  me  over  to  say  she  want 
Weza  to  come  and  eat  supper  wid  our  folks,  case 
she's  goin'  to  have  a  partirJ  supper  for  me,  wid  a 
turiiey,  and  pies  and  sich  like.     Mought  she  go, 
missus  ?  " 


■*i$i^wi;jj^ij« 


rnm'i 


sto 


OUT  OP  THE  WILOEBNESi. 


"  Will  ycr  promise  to  bring  hor  safe  back  to  me 
arter  supjxjr,  on  yer  word  as  a  Christian?"  asked 
missus. 

"  ^artain,  missus,  I  will ;  as  suroVi  I  love  de 
Lord  and  strives  to  please  him  she  shall  be  here 
by  ten  o'clock !  And  I'd  wish  to  say  for  my  dear 
younp  massa,  dat  he  don't  force  me  to  go  home. 
He  needs  mo  very  much,  and  he  say  if  ho  can't 
make  no  tarms  wid  ycr  'bout  Wcza,*  bymeby  he'll 
let  me  come  back  agin.  But  I  tell  yer,  I'll  be 
round  'bout  mighty  often  to  see  if  she's  got  hap- 
pier, —  poor  little  woman  !  " 

Weza  asked  Zack,  meekly,  "  Moughtn't  I  stay 
long  enough  just  to  get  de  supper  ready  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  Zack,  "  dough  yer  don't  look, 
like  doin'  nmch  now  but  lyin'  down  in  yer  coffin ! 
I'll  go  out  and  talk  farewells  to  de  boys  in  de 
field  while  yer  gittin'  ready." 

When  he  was  gone,  Huggins  caroe  in  from  the 
entry,  teig-iblc  in  wrath  !  He  denounced  the  colo- 
nel as  "  an  old  nabob,"  his  guest  as  "  a  cussed 
abolitionist,"  Zack  as  "  a  highwayman,"  Weza  as 
"an  ougrateful  creatur,"  and  Mrs.  Huggins  as 
"  nobody  at  all "  for  consenting  to  let  her  off." 

"  Did  yer  think  I  was  goin'  to  git  all  stirred  up 
a  talkin'  and  arguin'  ?  She'll  come  back  all  safe, 
I'll  promise !  "  returned  "  missus." 


UUOOINS  GETS  BID  OF  ZACK. 


211 


"  Yes,  and  they'll  tell  there  Uwut  her  goin'  to 
the  Bcud  for  shoes,  and  liko's  not  they'll  say  I  lied 
about  it  and  tfiat  she  was  in  the  house  all  thcj 
time  !  "  said  Huggins,  tender  of  his  character  for 
veracity. 

"  Coui-se  they  will,"  replied  Mrs.  Huggins, 
calmly,  as  if  lying  and  being  called  a  liar  were  a 
thing  of  every  day  occurrence,  and  of  very  little 
moment  any  way. 

When  poor  Weza  was  arrayed  for  the  sorrowful 
visit,  she.  walked  by  the  side  of  Zack,  who  led  the 
horse,  till  they  reached  the  end  of  the  lane ;  then 
he  lifted  her  on  to  the  saddle,  put  the  reins  in  her 
hand  and  walked  on  at  her  side. 

"  That  are'b  'dikerlous ! "  cried  Kuggins.  "  He's 
as  tinder  o'  her  as  the  Colonel  is  of  Madam." 

"Why  didn't  yer  say  as  tinder  as  yer  be  of 
me  ?  "  whistled  missus  from  her  teeth,  which  were 
still  shut  on  the  pipe  stem.  "  Course  he  loves  her 
like  white  men  loves  their  wives,  and  why 
shouldn't  he  ?  She's  more  lovabler  than  many  a 
white  woman,  I'm  sure." 

"  It  always  roused  my  spent  terrible,"  cried 
Dave,  "  when  he  come  over  here  to  feed  my  hogs 
and  split  my  wood  and  to  clar  up  the  place  in 
gineral.  It  looked  like  he  thought  I  didn't  look 
after  matters  sharp ! "       -«,  i7\a«*      ;u:,  ^     ;(.;,, 


212 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS, 


"  Humph !  "  died  Mrs.  Huggius,  with  a  sarcas- 
tic smile.  She  saw  the  deficiencies  about  the 
plantation  as  plainly  as  anybody  Tlid ;  but  as  she 
didii't  mean  to  exort  herself,  she  had  long  ago  re- 
solved not  to  worry  about  tliem, 

"  Well,  I'll  be  rid  of  him  now  and  have  nothing 
to  worry  me,  —  if  this  talk  of  war  don't ! "  ex- 
claimed Huggins.  "If  it  comes,  like's  not  I'll 
have  to  shoulder  my  gun  and  go  off  as  capting ! 
They  say  that  the  chevelry  is  all  to  be  officers, 
and  the  poor  whites  and  the  blacks  is  to  be  the 
jBghtin'  sogers.  Tiiey  say  the  blacks  will  fight 
fierce  for  their  homes  and  their  country  !  " 

"  They  don't  disturb  women  folks  in  time  o' 
wars,  do  they  ?  "  asked  missus. 

"  Not  in  gineral,  they  don't,"  replied  Dave ; 
"  but  Daniel  Philips,  that's  been  to  the  North  a 
huntin'  up  runaways,  and  knows  how  furious  they 
be  up  thar, — he  sa  s  how't  they'd  pour  down  on 
us  iike  the  savage  horges  used  to  pour  down  in 
Europe  on  the  'fined  and  civilized  nations!  He 
says  they'll  stick  at  nothin' ;  that  they'll  rob  us 
and  burn  our  houses  and  cany  off  all  the  hand- 
some women." 

"  Oh  !  oh  !  oh  !  goody  gracious  !  What  will  be- 
come of  me,  then  ?  "  cried  Mrs.  Huggins," shudder- 
ing, and  realizing  for  the  first  time  the  horrors  of  a 


■■iiltiit-ilrrflir'iitlirtp'  ■i'<i'rtWll»i  ■ 


I  I'rtT-ir*-  ■*■"  ^■'■■'^'-      '    ■'  '       ■  '■  ■  '^"^"'^  -^    ""•"' 


m^ 


HUGGIN8  GETS  RID  OP  ZACK. 


213 


civil  war.  "  Yer  must  board  up  the  windows,  and 
not  let  'era  know  ye've  got  a  wife,  and  Weza  will 
feed  me  when  they're   'ff  a  figlitin'. 

"  I  suppose,  even  if  the  sogers  didn't  carry  a 
body  off,  a  war  would  raise  the  price  o'  tobacco  ? " 
she  asked. 

"  Course  'twould ;  men  couldn't  be  a  fightin' 
and  raisin'  crops  to  the  same  time,  could  they  ? 
'Twould  raise  calico,  and  broadclotii,  and  every 
thin',  like  they  tell  of  in  the  Rivolution  times," 
replied  Dave. 

"  La,  I  don't  care  for  that ;  I  can  easy  go  with- 
out clothes,  but  I  can't  go  without  my  pipe !  I'd 
die  if  I  couldn't  git  tobacco ! "  said  the  lady. 

"  I'll  lay  yer  in  a  stock  afore  trouble  comes,  and 
some  gin  for  myself,  —  course  a  body  couldn't  live 
without  gin !  "  exclaimed  Huggins. 

And  while  this  elegant  conversation  was  going 
on  at  the  mansion  house,  poor  Weza  was  listening 
to  Zack's  words  of  comfort,  and  pleading  with  him 
not  to  go  away  —  as  he  was  not  forced  to  do  so. 

"  Yer  knows,  chile,"  he  said,  "  I  owes  duty  to 
my  massa.  Most  men  would  a  sent  me  to  de  auc- 
tion block  to  please  a  new  wife ;  but  look  what 
liberty  he's  gin  me !  Never  a  day  o'  my  life  but 
I's  had  all.  dat  any  free,  workin'  man  ought  to  ask, 
'sides  always  a  little  money  in  my  pocket !    Now 


214 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


dat  he's  a  sufferin'  for  my  help,  I  must  go  wid 
him.  But  de  time  won*t  be  long,  Dcre's  a  big 
muss  starrin'  up  in  Cungress  all  about  us  ;  and  de 
Lord's  jieople  is  siegin'  of  him  day  and  night  for  to 
break  our  chain.  Weza,  I  'spects  yet  to  be  a  free 
man,  wid  a  free  wife ;  and  to  build  yer  a  smart 
little  house  and  give  yer  a  cow  and  a  pig  of  yer 
own  and  live  wid  ye  do  year  round ! " 

"  But  it'll  be  BO  long  and  I'll  be  so  lonesome 
here ! "  said  Weza.  "  And  de  horror  'bout  de  boys 
will  come  back  on  me." 

"  Yer  must  thank  de  Lord  dat  yer  aint  goin'  to 
be  left  wid  savage  folks !  Yer  massa  and  missus 
is  next  tiling  to  fools  in  some  matters,  but  dey's 
good-natured  and  kind-hearted.  I  shall  make 
errands  up,  and  let  yer  know  how  dey  gets  on  'bout 
dis  war.  My  massa  talks  wid  me  like  I  was  white. 
He'd  give  me  my  free  papers  dis  blessed  minute  if 
I  axed  him,  but  I'll  wait  till  de  Lord  draws  'em 
out  for  both  of  us  to  once." 


m^ 


, 

)  wid 

a  big 

ad  de 

for  to 

1  free 

smart 

)f  yer 

esome 

• 

5  boys 

)in'  to 

aissus 

CHAPTER  XVn. 


GREAT  CHANGE8. 


ZACK  turned  the  complimentary  supper  at  the 
Colonel's  into  a  prayer  meeting,  saying,  "  Dear 
friends,  when  we's  tore  into  sunders  from  dem  we 
loves,  dat's  de  time  to  stick  close  to  de  Lord  dat 
f  fm't  be  took  from  us  no  how !    If  de  chice  was 
gin  me  to  leave  my  wife  and  never  live  wid  her,  or 
to  have  my  right  hand  cut  off",  I'd  quick  say, 
'Fetch   on  yer  knife,  sar.'    Thank  de  Lord  de 
chice  isn't  left  wid  me,  but  duty  settle  de  question. 
My  dear  massa,  dat's  been  so  tinder  o'  my  feelin's, 
says  he  needs  me  powerful  bad  at  home,  but  dat  he 
wont  sunderate  by  force  no  man  and  wife.    Den  I 
makes  up  my  mind  not  to  go  a  step.    But  den  I 
thinks  of  God !     So  I  goes  up  to  de  loft  in  de 
carriage  house  and  falls  down  on  my  face  and 
cries  out,  like  our  brother  Paul  did,  '  Lord,  what 
will  dou  have  me  for  to  do  ? ' 
"  Den  derp  shine  a  big  light  all  'bout  de  room, 


i 


216 


OUT   OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 


80  dat  I  SCO  do  saddles  and  de  harncssus  and  de 
biidlea  hangiu'  on  de  pegs  whar  all  was  dark  as 
pitch  de  minute  afore ;  and  dere,  crouched  up 
in  a  corner,  sot  Satan,  and  say?  he,  '  Yer  stick  by, 
and  don't  go ! '  J3ut  den  come  anoder  voice  like 
somebody  I  love  was  a  whisperin'  in  my  ear.  I 
felt  de  warm  breath  on  my  cheek,  and  de  words 
was,  '  'Ccpt  a  man  be  vvillin'  for  to  leave  father 
and  mother,  and  house,  and  land,  and  wife,  and 
chil'en  for  my  sake,  he  ain't  fit  for  my  kingdom.' 

"  But  says  I,  '  Dear  Jesus,  I's  willln'  to  leave  all 
if  I  had  any  more  —  only  dis  poor,  weak  little 
woman !  But  I's  powerful  tinder  of  her,  she's 
been  so  tore  wid  trouble  a'ready  'bout  dem  boys ! 
Dis  yere  last  blow  will  take  her  life,  poor,  lovin' 
little  creatur'.'  Den  come  de  voice  agin,  sweeter 
den  afore,  sayin',  '  Sarvants,  obey  your  massas 
'cordin'  to  de  flesh,  and  ye  shall  'ceive  tenfold  in 
dis  yere  life  an'1  heaven  bymeby  !  My  grace  is 
sufficient  for  yer  both.'  Den  such  a  feelin'  come 
over  me  dat  I  spring  up  and  clap  my  hands  and 
say, '  Dis  yere  is  a  powerful  little  thing  to  do  for 
Jesus  ! '     I  sing  right  out, 


f: 


'  Beca'so  I  wear  de  crown  of  tbonis, 
Dere'a  glory  in  my  soul  I 
Beca'se  I  drink  do  bitter  oup, 
Dere'8  glory  in  my  soul  I 


1 


9US  and  de 
as  dark  as 
ouched  up 
sr  stick  by, 

voice  like 
ny  ear.  I 
[  de  words 
;ave  father 
I  wife,  and 
ingdom.' 
to  leave  all 
sveak  little 
her,  she's 
dem  boys! 
poor,  lovin' 
;in,  sweeter 
lur  niassas 

tenfold  in 
[y  grace  is 
!elin'  come 
hands  and 
:  to  do  for 


GREAT  CHANGES.  g^f 

Die  foolish  world  is  bleak  and  cold, 
But  heaven's  widin  my  sc-il! 
Glory,  Glory,  Hallelujah, 
In  heaven  we'll  part  no  more  I ' 


"  Den  I  goes  to  de  mansion  house  and  tells  my 
own  massa  all  dis.    'Fore  dis  he'd  begun  for  to 
love  Miss  Juley  and  so  he  knowed  hisscif  what  my 
love  was.     Says  I, '  0,  massa,  dcre's  been  a  jjow- 
crful  big  fight  in  our  carriage  house  ! '     He  opened 
his  eyes  and  says, '  Who's  been  a  fightin'  ?  '     '  De 
devil  and  me,  massa,'  says  I, '  and  by  de  Lord's 
lielp  I  beat !     He  put  into  my  liead  for  to  have  my 
own  will  agin  yer's  and  de  Lord's,  but  I  'membered 
heaps  o'  Scriptur'  words,  and  I  just  took  'em  up 
one  arter  t'other  and  hit  him  wid  'em  smack  in  de 
face  ;  and  next  minute  lie  warn't  nowhar  !     Now, 
massa,'  says  I, '  look  here  at  me,  a  great  powerful 
fellow,  dat  could   beat  any  three    white  men    for 
strength!     Wid  de   liberty  ye's  gin  mo  and  the 
shiftlessness  o'  Massa  Huggins,  I  could  run  off- 
wife  and  all !  and  yet  see  me  stand,  meek  as  a 
kitten,  in  dis  heavy  yoke  and  sing  praises  to  de  ' 
Lord  wid  my  head  through  it!    Please  tell  me 
what  yer  thinks's  de  reason  o'  my  doin'  dis  ?  ' 

"  'Cause  yer  such  a  good-natured  fellow,  Zack,' 
says  he, '  and  loves  me  so ! ' 

"  •  No,  Bar ! '  says  I, '  dat's  not  it.    I  loves  yer, 


218 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


but  I  loves  dat  ar  little  brown  woman  a  heap 
more !  I  loves  her  more  dan  ever  yer  loved  dat 
poor,  ipeak  woman  dat's  gone—  axin'  yer  pardon  ; 
and  I  believe  I  could  lay  down  my  life  for  her ! 
But  dore's  One  I  loves  more  den  her,  and  it's  for  . 
his  sake  dat  1  bows  my  neck  meek  to  dis  yere 
yoke  —  to  honor  him !  Could  yer  do  as  much  for 
him,  massa,  widout  grumblin  ? ' 

"'No,  Zack,'  says  he,  lookin'  mournful.  'I 
never  did  nothin'  for  him,  nor  any  body  but  my- 
self.' 

" '  It's  time,  den,  yer  begun  for  to  love  and  sarve 
him.    De  time  to  do  up  yer  work  may  be  short ! ' 

says  I. 

"  And  now,  friends  and  brothers,"  continued 
Zack,  "  I  axes  yer  prayers  now  and  when  I's  gone 
dat  de  Lord  would  comfort  my  little  woman  and 
save  my  dear  massa,  for  I  tell  yer  he's  de  loveliest 
sinner  ever  yer  met  up  wid ! " 

There  was  embracing  and  kissing  and  weeping 
when  Weza  left  ''^r  home,  and  a  score  of  the 
Colonel's  men  and  women  pledged  themselves  to 
stand  by  her  in  sickness  or  any  other  trouble. 

On  their  way  back  Zack  gave  Weza  a  pair  of 
coral  ear-rings  which  his  master  said  he  had 
«'  found  in  a  box  at  homo."  Zack  remembered 
them,  as  well  as  thb  bracelet  which  belonged  to 


1 


u. 


^K^ 


GREAT  CHANGES. 


219 


man  a  heap 
er  loved  dat 
yer  pardon ; 
life  for  her! 
,  and  it's  for 
:  to  dis  yere 
»  as  much  for 

nournful.  '  I 
body  but  my- 

ove  and  sarve 
ay  be  short ! ' 

J,"  continued 
fhen  I's  gone 
e  woman  and 
5*8  de  loveliest 

;  and  weeping 
score  of  the 

themselves  to 

•  trouble. 

eza  a  pair  of 
said    he   had 

i  remembered 

h  belonged  to 


them  — «  a  gold  one  with  a  sarpii.t's  head  onto 
one  ecnd  on't,  wid  a  coral  tongue  hanging  out!" 
Ho  stopped  at  Hugging'  door  and  hooked  them  into 
the    little    brown    woman's    ears,    saying,  "Dey 
b'longs  to  a  better  woman  dan  de  poor  weak  one 
dat  wore  dem  de  day  I  hild  her  fast  to  save  de 
hfe  o'  Dely's  baby  !    Little  she  thought  dat  time, 
dat  my  wife  would  ever  wear  'em  !    If  massa  had 
a  loved  her  much  he'd  never  a  brung  'em  to  yer !  ' 
After  this  parting  the  heart  of  Weza  seemed 
broken.     She  toiled  on,  but  the  patient  smile  was 
gone  from  her  lips,  and  the  cheerful  light  from 
her  eye;   and  overy  now  and  then  lieavy  groans 
escaped  her  lips.    Mrs.  Huggins  felt  quite  easy 
herself  and  wanted  every  body  else  to  feel  so.    To 
ease  this  heart-wound,  she  called  Weza  to  her  one 
day  and  presented  her  with  a  silver  quarter,  which 
she  had  been  hoarding  some  time  in  a  chaos  of 
clothes,  yarn,  buttons,  strings,  tobacco  and  seeds. 
Weza    looked  at    the    gift    scornfully,  saying 
"  What  can  I  do  wid  dat?    All  de  money  in  dis' 
world  couldn't  make  me  happy !    My  heart's  gone 
off  now,  and  dis  is  only  my  'live  body  dat's  movin' 
'bout  here !     I'se  hurryin'  wid  my  work  so's  to  go 
up  stairs  and  stay  all  alone  wid  Jesus.    He  pities 
*ne."       ..;,;.    _ ,;  ^«  .■../,,        *  .•  ■  * 

"  So  do  I,"  replied  her  mistress ;  «  but  I  think 


J 


.J 
4 


Ma».'«*Bwthiii,riitiii^.i 


■■M 


220 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


yer  makin'  a  Mg  fuss  'bout  notliin'.  Arter  all, 
Zack's  only  a  great,  homely  black  fellow  ! "  "i" 
"  O,  missus,  he's  beautiful  to  me,"  replied  Weza. 
"  Look  what  a  smile  he's  got ;  and  den  dere  r.cver 
was  such  a  loving  creatur!  'Pears  like  he  wanted 
to  take  all  do  work  and  de  sorrow  in  de  world  on 
to  his  own  back  ! " 

"Oh, yes,  he's  clever  enough,  but  yer'll  soon  quit 
a  missin'  of  him !  Why,  once  yer  master  went 
down  river  about  some  pine  he'd  been  a,  sellin'  of; 
and  so  he  thought,  while  he  was  off,  he'd  stay  long 
enough  for  to  see  the  sights.  He  was  gone  a  fort- 
night, and  if  yer'll  believe  me,  1  never  thought  on 
him  till  I  got  out  o'  tobacco  and  hadn't  no  money 
in  the  house  to  buy  more !  And  think  how  much 
whiter  and  better  lookin'  he  is  than  Zack ;  besides 
being  a  gentleman,  —  mostly."  -     ^  '"'  *^^' 

Weza  answered  this  argument  with  a  groan. 
"And  furthermore,"  continued  Mrs.  Hugging, 
"  'ligion  ought  make  yer  forgit  him.  Yer  ought  to 
be  thankful  he's  gone ;  they  say  real  Christians  is 
thankful  for  every  thin'.  And  mor'n  that,  p'r'haps 
it  will  only  be  for  a  little  while,  for  like  as  not  he'll 
die  pretty  quick,  — they  say  it's  awful  sickly  down 
in  them  ere  swampy  parts  ;  and  he  mought's  well 
be  dead  there  as  here.  I'll  ax  jer  master  to  let 
yer  have  another  husband.    The  judge's  Luke's  a 


^*.. 


■vV'itV' 


GREAT  CHANGES. 


221 


Arter  all, 

r  I"     ■)     lUO    - 

>lied  Weza. 

dere  never 

he  wanted 

ie  world  on 

11  soon  quit 
laater  went 
8,  sellin'  of; 
'd  stay  long 
gone  a  fort- 
■  tbought  on 
t  no  money 
:  how  much 
ick ;  besides 

i  groan.  *!• 
•8.  Huggins, 
STer  ought  to 
Christians  is 
;hat,  p'r'haps 
s  as  not  he'll 
sickly  down 
lought's  well 
master  to  let 
;e'8  Luke's  a 


fust  rate  black  man,  and  his  wife,  dat  b'longed  to 
de  Hunter's  'state,  has  just  been  sold  off  wid  her 
two  children." 

Weza  could  not  bear  this.    It  was  laying  coals 
of  fire  on  her  wound,  and  she  cried,  in  a  tone  Mrs. 
Huggins  had  never  heard  before,  "  Missus,  yer's 
as  cruel  as  do  hangman !    If  yer  aint  car'ful  yc'll 
drive  me  to  de  crazy-house.     Please  don't  say 
'Zack'  while   I  lives;  but    don't   think  I'll  ever 
forget  liim.    If  I  loses  him   forever  here  in   de 
wilderness,  J'U   have  him  bymeby  in  heaven  and 
never  lose  liim  no  more !    I's  goin'  to  bear  dis  as 
well  as  de  other  trouble  patient,  for  Zack  says  de 
Lord  is  a  tryin'  of  me  like  de  silversmith  try  de 
silver  for  to  make  it  shine  bright.    I  promised  him 
dat  I  would  whisper  to  de  Lord  every  liour  of  de 
day  what  my  brother  Job  said  to  God  when  de 
devil  and  every  body  else   bothered  Ijim !    'Do' 
dou  slay  me  yit  will  I  trust  dee ! '    I's  bound  for 
to  love  Jesus,  whether  he  does  liice  I  want  him  to 
or  not.    I's  a  poor,  small  little  thiag  in  dis  big 
world  o'  his  !  " 

As  the  days  and  weeks  wore  on,  a  deep  gloom 
settled  on  the  minds  of  the  planters.  The  negroes 
caught  whispers  of  tlie  war  and  grew  restless. 
They  met  in.  groups  to  tell  and  to  hear  what  Iiad 
been  picked  up  in  the  families  or  at  the  store, and 


mm- 


i>ll-rliiiiirin  •  .t-.WInii.iri;,  T-.  'f-i^..^.  j  lHHaWilt 


md 


r 


222 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


If     1 


po8t-officc ;  and  inany  who  had  been  regarded  by 
their  owners  as  guiltless  of  all  learning  were  now 
caught  peeping  into  newspapers  and   cominittiug 
like   wicked   acts.    Of  course   the   masters  took 
alarm   and   were   devising  methods  by   which    a 
stricter  watch  could  be  kept  on  them.     It  was  pro- 
posed by  some  to  forbid  their  going  to  meetings  of 
any  kind,  or  even  to  the  customary  merry  makings. 
This  the  Colonel,  influenced  by  his  wife,  strongly 
opposed  at  first,  but  he  was    overruled  by  his 
neighbors,  and  new  fetters  were  placed  upon  the 
blacks  which  did  not  set  easily.    They  were  for- 
bidden to   meet  for  prayer   or  praise,   but  they 
atoned  for  this  loss  of  privilege  by  exercising  their 
gifts  in  loud  tones  at  home ;  the  kitchens,  the 
barns  and  the  fields  resounding  with  calls  on  Jesus 
to  »  ride  on  swifter  in  de  golden  chariot,  and  to 
deliver  his  chireu  out  of  de  horrible  pit  and  de 
miry  clay."    When  the  first  gun  ^SJR    fired  at 
Sumter  they  almost  heard  it.     They  knew  of  it  as 
soon  as  their  masters  did  ;  and  they  began  laying 
plans  for  the  future  when  they  should  be  free. 
Panic  seized  those  negroes  whose  relatives  were 
divided  among  several  masters.    Every  movement 
of  the  whites  was  watched  with  neiTOus  interest, 
and  war,  rather  than  work,  was  the  theme  in  man- 
sion house  and  cabin.  '      " 


yarded  by 
were  now 
omraittiug 
stcrs  took 
which    a 
t  was  pro- 
leetuigs  of 
f  makings, 
c,  strongly 
ed   by   his 
1  upon  the 
r  were  for- 
,   but  they 
cising  their 
tchcns,  the 
lis  on  Jesus 
•iot,  and  to 
pit  and  de 
.8    fired  at 
lew  of  it  as 
egan  laying 
lid  be  free, 
atives  were 
y  movement 
)us  interest, 
sme  in  man- 


OREAT  CHANGES. 


223 


-■  Six  months  had  passed  away  since  Zack's   de- 
parture, and  tlie  time  when  his  master  had  prom- 
ised to  send  him  up  for  a  visit  was  at  hand.     Weza 
counted  the  hours  and  grew  clieerful  with    hope. 
But  the  Colonel,  dreading  tiie  budget  of  news  lie 
would  bring,  and  the  effect  of  his  freedom  from  re- 
straint on  the  others,  wrote  to  his  nephew  forbid- 
ding the  visit.     This  gave  great  offence  to  the  gen- 
tleman, but  he  had  a  wise  reason  for  suppressing 
his  feeling.     Instead  of  replying  by  letter,  he  made 
his  appearance  most   unexpectedly  one   morning, 
leaving  Zack,  who  was  his  travelling  servant,  at 
Uuggins'  plantation  to  make  a  new  appeal  for  his 
wife. 

"  Uncle,"  he  said,  «  I'm  worn  out  with  this  con- 
troversy, and  dread  a  long  civil  war.  I've  se- 
cured my  personal  projKjrty  and  am  going  abroad. 
I've  come  to  make  a  bargain  with  you." 

"  Ail  ?  to  take  your  place  off  your  hands,  is  it  ?  " 
asked  the  Colonel. 

"  No,  it  is  to  exchange  a  member  of  my  family 
for  one  of  yours.  My  man  will  bring  far  more 
money  in  the  market  than  the  person  I  want  from 
you.  Will  you  take  Zack,  whom  you  know  to  be 
a  good  man  and  give  mo  —  Miss  Julia  ?  " 

"My  dear  fellow,"  cried  the  Colonel/' I  have 
suspected  this  befoie.     I  will  give  Julia  to  you 


■.'i;  . 


■'-^    -fi^llnm-lffi-ii'HiM'ti 


884 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


with  all  my  heart ;  but  1  don't  want  Zack  !  He  is, 
as  you  say;  a  good  uian  ;  but  he  knows  too  much 
for  me  in  those  times.  We're  hushing  up  every 
tiling  from  the  blacks,  but  Zack  knows  as  much  as 
you  do,  and  so  will  bo  dangerous  here.  What 
will  you  do  with  your  other  servants  ?  " 

"  I  have  given  Dely  and  lier  boys  to  her  hus- 
band's owner  ;  Mary  and  old  Nancy  and  Sue  have 
gone  to  Uncle  John's ;  and  I've  let  out  the  field 
hands  to  my  neighlwr  Davis  at  his  own  price." 

"  Tom,  you're  crazy  ! "  cried  the  Colonel. 

"  No  sir ;  the  rest  of  you  are  crazy.  I'm  the 
sane  man  to  save  what  I  can  and  make  off  while  I 
can."  /.i  ' 

"And  do  you  think  this  a  manly  course ?"  asked 
the  Colonel,  gravely.  "  Suppose  all  should  run, 
who  would  fight  the  battles  of  the  South  V  " 

"  Nobody,  sir ;  and  that's  just  what  I  want ! 
There  is  nothing  to  fight  for.  The  hot  heads 
among  us  have  set  up  a  shadow,  and  they  ask  us 
to  fight  for  it.  I  don't  care  to  stay  here  and  be 
shot,  and  neither  do  I  intend  to  stay  and  shoot  you 
and  my  other  honored  uncles.  This  Government 
satisfies  me,  and  why  should  1  risk  my  life  in  tiy- 
ing  to  destroy  it?  I  have  anticipated  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's   probable  action    by    virtually  freeing  my 


GREAT  CHANGES. 


22> 


k  !  He  is, 
i  too  much 
5  up  every 
as  much  an 
jre.    What 

to  her  huB- 

d  Sue  have 

it  the  field 

price." 

iiel. 

.    I'm  the 

off  while  I 

J  .  t 

■se?"  asked 
hould  run, 
\i  V " 

Eit  I  want ! 
hot  heads 
they  ask  us 
lere  and  be 
d  shoot  you 
jroverniucnt 
'  life  iu  ti-y- 
;d  Mr.  Liu- 
freeing  my 


people.    Shall   I  leave  Zack  here,  or  take  him 
down  river  again  ?  " 

"  Take  him  away,  my  boy,"  said  the  Colonel ; 
"  if  he  talks  no  worse  than  his  master  does,  he 
will  do  mischief  here." 
"  It  sliall  be  as  you  say.     If  I  could  move  ti.at 
.  old  stone  post,  Huggins,  I'd  buy  Zack's  wife  and 
set  them  adrift  to  shift  for  themselves.    And  now 
I  will  find  the  ladies  and  see  if  Julia's  aunt  will 
hasten  and  get  her  off  before  these  barbarians,  of 
whom  Mrs.  Huggins  is  so  much  afraid,  steal  her 
for  her  beauty  !  " 

At  that  time  ladies  cared  less  for  an  elegant  and 
varied  trousseau  than  for  personal  safety,  and  so 
the  gentleman  and  his  ycung  wife  were  very  soon 
on  a  ship  bound  for  Cuba. 

Zack  was    inquiring  about  the   different  regi- 
ments, having  resolved  to  "  figlit  for  de  Lord  and 
fi-eedom."    But  before  taking  this  step  he  went  up 
to  visit  his  wife  again.    In  his  usual  indenendent 
way  ho  told  Huggins  that  slavery  was  dead  to  all  in- 
tents  and  purposes,  and  that  Mr.  Lincoln  was  only 
waiting  a  little  while,  for  prudence's  sake,  to  make 
out  all  the  free  papers.    Ho  said  lie  wanted  to 
fietUe  his  wife  in  a  little  room  of  her  own  before 
he  went  off     But  Mrs.  Huggins  threw  herself  into     ' 
I'ysterics,  and  Huggins,  pale  with  fear,  ran  into 


ji  njLiJiii%i|iii 


m 


w 


m.,.M 


226 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNKSS. 


the  next  room,  turned  the  key  and  talked  about 

his  gun. 

Weza  refused  to  follow  Zack,  because  she  had 
given  her  .word  to  remain  until  she  became  free ; 
and  she  felt  that  Jesus  was  watching  her  to  see 

if  she  kept  it. 

"  Well,  dat's  mighty  good  in  yer,  little  woman," 
cried  Zack,  "  but  yer  ain't  yer  own  master,  mind ; 
for  de  good  Lord  has  sot  me  over  yer  to  be  de 
head  of  de  woman;  and  yer  only  a  poor,  weak 
creatur',  at  best.    If  I  takes  yer  off,  ye've  got  to 

go." 

Here  Mrs.  Huggius  screamed   with  fear.     The 

Colonel  and  the  judge,  with  their  families,  had 
fled  for  safety  into  the  very  bosom  of  the  foe  at 
Washington ;  and  she  and  Huggins  were  tho  only 
whites  left  in  the  neighborhood. 

«  Missus,"  said  Zack,  "  I  wants  my  wife  to  have 
a  little  rest  and  to  visit  some  of  my  old  friends 
and  hern  down  below.  As  she  won't  leave  yer 
'case  on  account  of  her  word,  I'll  take  her  for  a 
week;  and  when  I've  gone  she  may  come  back 
if  she's  fool  enough  to  ! " 

"Yer  may  go,"  gasped  Mrs.  Huggins,  "but 
who'll  git  1  meal  of  victuals  while  yer  off?  "      '' 

"  I'll  tell  de  boys  to  do  de  housework  and  wait 
on  yer  too,"  said  Weza,  trembling  iu  every  limb. 


OHEAT  CHANGES. 


227 


3e  she  had 
icame  free ; 
her  to  see 

Ic  woman," 
stcr,  mind ; 
ijr  to  be  de 
poor,  weak 
e've  got  to 

fear.  The 
irailies,  had 
f  the  foe  at 
3re  tho  onijT 

wife  to  have 

old  friends 

't  leave  yer 

'te  her  for  a 

come  back 

ggins, 
oif?" 

)rk  and  wait 
ivery  limb. 


"Hurry  up,  dar!"  cried  Zack,  a  little  sharply, 
to  Weza,  who  fancied  she  should  be  hunted  and 
punished  lor  running  off.  "  Go  up  stairs  nnd  get 
yer  clothes." 

At  the  sound  of  his  changed  voice  "  massa  "  and 
"  missus  "  darted  into  opposite  rooms  and  barricaded 
,  themselves  in.  Weza,  then,  according  to  orders, 
went  up  stairs  and  tied  up  a  very  small  bundle, 
which  she  threw  out  of  the  window  to  Zack.  On 
coming  down  she  stepped  to  tlie  door  of  "  missus'  " 
prison  and  said,  "  Good-by,  missus,"  in  very  trem- 
ulous tones. 

"  Good-by,"  sobbed  missus.  « If  yer  don't  come 
back  in  a  week,  Weza,  I'll  turn  infidel  and  sceptic, 
and  I'll  say  there  ain't  no  such  tiling  as  'ligion, 
and  that  church-member  folks  is  all  hypocrites, 
and  that  ihe  Bible  isn't  no  truer  than  Robinson 
•  Cruser,  — I  will.  And  I'll  say  that  the  wickedest, 
lyin'est,  and  stealin'est  people  ever  I  knowed  was 
.    them  that  prayed  and  sung  sams !  " 

"  0,  missus,  never  say  dat,  for  de  Lord  lives, 
anO.  he  is  true  and  lovin'  wh-cever  we  does,"  said 
the  little  brown  woman. 

Mrs.  Huggins,  who  now  saw  the  happy  pair 
departing,  called  out  after  them,  "  I'm  in  a  fit,  •— 
a  hysle-ic  !  0,  o-o-o !  I  can't  breathe  !  The  sava- 
ges is  comiu' !    I  hear  Qieir  guns  !    I'm  all  alone 


v-  ■:^ 


»*#?■ 


"1" "' ' I  '  - '- 


i 


r  if 


228 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


with  no  womankind  about  me  to  protect  mo. 
Them  sogers  will  carry  uie  off  and  make  a  harem 
out  o'  me,  like  the  king  ol"  the  Injees  does  out  of 
all  his  good-lookin'  women  !  "  And>  then  she  burst 
into  a  fit  of  violent  weeping. 

Huggins  was  listening,  but  dared  not  leave  his 
retreat  till  sure  that  Zack  was  gone.  In  a  moment 
her  tone  changed,  and  he  heard  her  talking  calmly. 
Zack,  leaving  Weza  at  the  bars,  had  ran  back  to 
the  house,  and  going  up  to  the  open  window,  said, 

"  Oh,  missus,  I  forgot  som  jthin'  I  brung  up  for 
yer ! "  And  he  drew  from  the  pocket  of  his 
blouse  a  pipe  he  had  bought  of  a  Dute!iman  in  the 
city,  as  a  peace-offpring  to  Mrs.  Huggins.  The 
china-bowl  represented  a  head  of  Punch,  his  face 
lighted  with  an  ecstatic  grin,  while  the  metal 
cover  was  a  gay  red  cap !  When  he  handed  it  to 
the  distracted  lady  it  produced  a  wondrous  effect 
on  her.  The  hysterics  fled,  and  she  gave  herself 
up  to  full  sympathy  with  Mr.  Puuch,  laughing 
merrily,  and  asking  Zack  how  it  was  made 
and  what  it  cost.  "  I  do  say,"  she  crie^^  "that 
ere  will  keep  me  'mused  till  Weza  go»K  •  :!';  and 
rU  never  forgit  that  of  yer,  Zack!  i  li  {••wt  her 
well  to  pay  ye  fo't,  I  tell  ye ! "  And  agaiu  she 
laughed  long  and  loud,  as  if  there  were  no  sorrow 
nor  fear  hang-v.g  over  her.    What  was  civil  war  to 


i.»    ,  m.^)..,  ji|Kil'"l  '1 


gaWitfiw*  "^  i\<tm\i 


OBEAT  CHANGES. 


220 


jtoct  mc. 
e  a  harem 
jes  out  of 
I  she  burst 

leave  his 
a  moment 
tig  calmly, 
n  back  to 
dow,  said, 
mg  up  for 
et  of  his 
lan  in  the 
fins.  The 
I,  his  face 
the  metal 
lUded  it  to 
rous  effect 
ve  herself 
,  laughing 
jfos  made 
i(n^  "that 
i:ck;  and 
'.  t<*wt  her 
agaiu  she 

no  sorrow 
jivil  war  to 


her  now?.  What  was  the  fate  of  a  great  nation, 
or  the  destiny  of  a  struggling  race?  What  wcic 
desolated  homes  and  fields  covered  with  slain? 
She  had  a  pipe  witii  Punch's  head  on  it,  and 
j)Icnty  of  tobacco  to  smoke  in  it !  She  now  shook 
Zack  heartily  by  the  hand  and  charged  him  in  a 
mo&t  friendly  tone  to  bring  Weza  back  soon  ;  and 
tlien  sat  down  on^thc  window-sill  to  try  the  pipe. 

Zack  and  Weza  looked  back  and  saw  Huggins 
standing  by  her,  and  both  of  them  admiring  the 
worthless  thing  and  laughing  like  two  children; 
first  one  trying  it  and  then  the  other. 


iV'-    i'r 


■«wi,n<ii     ,r     ,^in,       '  irn  iiiiiirrtM  liiTi  I 


.     CHAPTER  XVIII. 


FLEEING  BEFORE  THE  YANKEES. 

ZACK  and  Weza  tnidgcd  several  miles  ou  foot. 
Tliey  had  money  to  pay  their  fare  ou  the  boat, 
but  so  strong  was  the  gcacral  conviction  that  all 
travelling  negroes  were  runaways,  it  was  hard  for 
such  as  were  left  without  masters,  to  go  where 
they  could  find  work.  Even  those  whose  owners 
had  given  up  hope  and  fled,  were  watched  with 
jealous  eyes  by  the  planters  who  had  resolved  to 
stand  by  their  "  property  and  a  righteous  cause," 
for  it  made  their  sla\es  restless  to  see  others  hold- 
ing wassail  in  their  master's  halls,  or  travelling  at 

will. 

After  a  series  of  trials  which  would  have  dis- 
heartened most  tourists,  but  which  only  amused 
them,  our  sable  friends  reached  the  great  city 
where  Weza's  childhood  and  youth  had  been  sjyent. 
Tiicy  went  from  house  to  house  in  search  of  her 
old  friends,  but  death,  and  the  changes  brought  on 
by  war,  had  scattered  them  far  and  wide.  >  »  . 
MP    . 


FLEEING   BEFORE  THE   YANKKES. 


231 


I. 

iles  ou  foot, 
on  the  boat, 
ion  that  all 
vas  hard  for 
to  go  where 
1080  owners 
atched  with 
resolved  to 
eoua  cause," 
others  hold- 
travelling  at 

Id  have  dis- 
)uly  amused 
e  great  city 
i  been  sjyent. 
learch  of  her 
IS  brought  on 
de.      . 


After  some  days,  they  found  an  aged  woman 
once  owned  by  Dr.  Percy,  but  who  retained  no  love 
for  the  name,  as  she,  too,  liad  been  cheated  out  of 
freedom  promised  for  faithful  service  in  a  time  of 
great  domestic  sorrow.  She  fancied  she  could  tell 
Weza  all  she  wanted  to  know  about  the  little  boy 
who  went  with  "  Massa  "  George. 

"  Bless  yer,  yes,  honey  ;  "  she  said,  speaking  as 
she  would  to  a  troubled  child.    "  I  know  heaps 
'bout  him,  and  a  little  prince  he  was,  too,  for  a 
slave-boy.     Yes,  yes,  dear.    First,  Massa  George, 
as  mean,  and  stingy,  and  small  a  soul  as  ever 
walked  'bout  in  a  handsome  body  and  fnie  clothes, 
he  took  him  home  when  de  property  fell  to  him. 
He  tuk  every  thin'  he  could  lay  hands  on,  even  to 
the  doctor's  clotljes,  and  a  paper  of  screws  and 
nails  that  he  hadn't  no  use  for  and  had  to  heave 
away ;  well,  he  tuk  him  'long  when  ho  went  home, 
honey." 

"J  knowed  dat,  myself,  amity,"  replied  Weza, 
"  but  what  come  of  him  after  dat  ?  " 

"  Oh,  dat's  what  you  want  to  know,  is  it  ?  Well, 
we  heard  dat  he  love  him  just  like  he  was  his  own 
son.  He  play  with  him,  and  dress  him  up,  and 
teach  him  to  sing  and  fuldle  — and  de  dear  knows 
what  all!  But  biinoby  a  lady  from  de  rice  coun- 
try was  up  dere,  and  she  fell  dead  in  love  with  de 


„r..in^.a,. --.;^-^v^,f|ifa..j-;i.^..:i,j..^-ay|j| 


232 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


chile,  and  say  she  must  have  him  for  to  make 
sport  for  her  company.  She  offer  a  heap  of  gold, 
big  as  a  bushel  l)asket,  I  reckons,  for  him,  and 
Massa  George  up  and  sold  him !  He  would  'a  done 
de  same  if  it  had  been  his  own  chile !     And  dat's 

« 

what  come  of  de  little  beauty  !  " 

"  And  where  did  de  lady  live,  aunty  ?  If  yer 
can  tell  me  dat,  1  can  hunt  him  up  yet,"  said 
Weza.  .  ' 

"  Yea,  honey ;  she  live  in  a  place  dey  call 
Flo'dy,  whar  dey  kills  black  people  off  in  de  rice 
swamps.  But  bymeby  she  got  marriedj  and  move 
up,  furder  North,  to  whar  de  savages  lives  dat's 
making  dis  yerc  cruel  war  on  us,"  —  and  here  old 
Prudy  winked  at  her  guests,  confidentially. — 
"Whether  she  sold  de  boy  or  tuk  him  'long,  is 
mor'n  I  can  tell  yer.  So  dat's  what  come  of  de 
chile ;  and  I  hopes  it  will  give  yer  a  thread  for 
to  find  him  by."  ' 

Old  Prudy  had  gossipped  faithfully  all  her  '"e, 
and  she  usually  kept  the  run  of  the  sold  and  t.  o 
dead ;  but  fate  was  against  her  in  this  case.  She 
was  a  dumb  oracle  to  poor  Weza. 

"  Now,  Weza,"  said  Zack,  one  day,  "  first  busi- 
ness, den  pleasure  is  my  rule.  I  gin  yer  a  long 
rope  to  search  for  de  boys,  and  Ps  helped  to  de 
best  of  my  'bility.     We  can't  find  no  trace  on  'em. 


FLEEING  BEFORE  THE   YANKEES. 


233 


to  make 
p  of  gold, 

him,  and 
Id  'a  done 
And  dat's 

?  If  yer 
yet,"  said 

dey  call 
in  de  rice 
and  move 
lives  dat's 
1  here  old 
sntially.  — 

I  'long,  is 
lome  of  de 
thread  for 

II  herJ'e, 
d  and  ti  o 
uase.    She 

first  busi- 
yer  a  long 
Iped  to  de 
Lce  on  'em. 


Now  s'pose  we  put  'em  back  into  de  hand  o'  do 
dear  Lord  agin,  where  we  trusts  our  own  'mortal 
sperits  and  our  lives,  and  spend  de  rest  of  yer  fur- 
lough —  as  do  sogers  say  —  havin'  a  good  time.     I 
wants  yer  to  visit  my  massa's  scattered-' bout-peo- 
ples, and  to  see  all  de  shops  and  de  big  ice-cream 
saloon,  and  go  to  de  black  churches  whar  dey  pray 
so  loud  yer  can  hear  'em  a  mile,  and  to  see  de- 
wild  beasts —  if  dere's  any  'bout  just  now.     Try 
to 'member  what  I  always  tells  yer,  dat  it's  one 
thin'  to  pray  widout  ceasin'  for  what  we  wants, 
and  it's  another  to  tease  de  Lord  for  it,  and  to  fret 
at  hir   if  de  answer  don't  come  just  hi  our  way 
and  time.    Now  cheer  up,  little  woman,  and  be 
happy.     Think  what  marcy  from  de  Lord  dat  yer 
husband,  'stead  o'   breakin'  his  back  in  de  rice  • 
swamps  or  de  cane  fields,  is  goin'  to  be  a  soger  of 
deLord!     'Fore  yer  go  back  Til   have  my   blue 
clothes  and  my  gun,  and  look  as  grand  as  anybody  f 
I   reckons  I'd  make   poor  Massa  Huggins  shake 
in  his  shoes  if  I  could  go  up  dere  wid  U.  S.  on  my 
belt  and  a  gun  over  my  shoulder." 
II  What  does  U.  S.  mean,  Zack  ? "  asked  Weza. 
"Why,  chile,  is  yer  so  ignorant  as  dat?"  said 
the  wise  Zack,  looking  pitifully  down  on  her. 

"I  heerd  massa  and  missus  tell  about  some 
black  folks  dat  run  oflF  and  fit  wid  de  North  ;  and 


•"■"^  "^'"if'^-'ifjiimti. 


MMfcirtm-r'  n  i-ffi'r  n  r"         -  -'^rif  Tiiinftri^ji^ 


234 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


^;, 


dey  dress  'em  up  and  don  put,  great  letters,  U.  S., 
for  '  ugly  sarpints,'  on  derc  belts !  Doy  said  dat 
was  all  dc  thanks  dey  got  for  leavin'  dere  kind 
uiussas  and  jinin'  dereselves  to  savages." 

Zack  laughed  heartily  at  Weza's  simplicity,  and 
replied,  "  I'm  'feared  dey'll  see  '  ugly  sarpints  '  ©n 
every  black  man's  belt  'fore  dis  yere  war  ends  !  " 
And  then  he  explained  the  signification  of  the 
letters,  and  how  the  country  got  the  playful  name 
of"  Uncle  Sam ;  "  and  Weza  looked  up  to  him  in 
admiration,  as  to  a  very  great  and  wise  man,  and 
thought  that,  with  all  the  troubles  of  the  wilder- 
ness, she  was  yet  the  happiest  woman  iu  the 
world  ! 

These  gala  days  had  flown  at  last,  and  the  time 
had  come  for  the  "  contrabands  "  to  be  armed  and 
equipped.  Weza  looked  proudly  on  Zack  as  a 
"  Union  soger,"  and  was  escorted  by  him  in  his 
new  dignity  to  the  boat,  loaded  down  with  little 
packages  containing  presents  of  a  very  simple 
character  for  herself  and  her  mistress.  Among 
these  was  a  pair  of  shoes  for  "  missus  ;  "  who  had 
told  Zack  in  confidence  "  that  her  feet  was  clean 
on  to  the  ground,  but,  for  all  that,  she'd  rather 
had  the  fuuny  pipe  than  even  a  j)air  of  new  shoes, 
for  a  present !  "  Zack  took  the  hint,  and  supplied 
the  demand  from  a  little  purse  las  master  had 
given  him  at  parting. 


^Bi^i*jL 


•  '*^*^if,.J^  fTW ■;.  ■  :/■,,;■■ 


^ 


FLEEING   BEFORE  THE  YANKEES. 


235 


ttors,  U.  S., 
oy  said  dat 
I*  dcre  kind 

iplicity,  aud 
sarpints '  en 
var  ends ! " 
tioii  of  the 
layful  name 
p  to  him  ill 
e  luan,  aud 
the  wilder- 
Duu   iu  the 

iid  tlie  time 
armed  and 
Zack  as  a 
him  in  his 
with  little 
k'ery  simple 
)8.  Among 
; "  who  had 
it  was  clean 
ihe'd  rather 
'  new  shoes, 
nd  supplied 
master  had 


"  Now,  Weza,"  he  said,  on  the  deck  of  the  boat, 
before  saying  the  last  farewell,  "  dese  is  no  times 
for  chicken  hearts,  either  'mong  men  or  women ; 
and  I  don't  want  to  see  no  tears  in  ycr  eyes  'bout 
my  goin'.     If  we  lives  to  get  througli  dis  ycr  war, 
we'll  be  somebody  ;  and  if  we  dies,  den  our  people 
dat's  left  will  be  somebody  !     Ts  goin'  to  fight  for 
de  Lord  and  for  my  j)cople,  and  not  for  self  only  ; 
and  I  don't  want  to  have  him  see  yer  a  grumblin' 
'bout  it !     If  yer'll  say,  even  now,  dat  yer'd  ratlirr 
stay  here,  I'll  get  yer  a  little  room  and  settle  yer  ; 
but  if  yer'd  rather  go  back  to  old  missus,  go,  and 
stay  till  yer  tired.     Whenever  yer  wants  to,  yer  can 
leave  and  come  down,  and  I'll  keep  de  run  of  yer 
through  Luke,  dat  can  write;  and  I'll  send  yer 
money,  too ;  and  de  less  yer  cry  de  more  I'll  love 
yer !     De  Lord  bless  yer,  dear  chile.     Good-bye  !  " 
And  he  ran  off  lest  his  lieart  might  fail  him. 

The  little  woman  pursued  her  journey  alone  and 
in  tears,  though  her  grief  was  not  the  boisterous 
grief  of  other  days.  She  felt  that  in  giving  up 
Zack  she  was  helping  on  a  mighty  work  for  her 
people,  and  this  gave  strength  to  her  heart. 

When  Weza  reached  the  "  mansion  house"  slie 
saw  a  wonderful  change ;  it  seemed  to  have  suf- 
fered years  of  decay  since  she  had  left  it.  The 
front  windows  were  closed  up  in  the  radest  pos- 


""^~-'--'"'  -j  ■iniiiifiiiiMii 


■■M 


r 


236 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


sible  manner  with  bits  of  broken  l)oard  and  fcnoc- 
raila.  Ploughs,  rakes,  harrow,  wlieelbarrows,  oUl 
wagons  and  cart  wheels,  and  finally  a  bedstead, 
w^re  heaped  upon  the  ricketty  verandah  to  V»ani- 
cade  the  front  door.  The  end  door  was  plugged 
up  l)y  a  grindstone  which  the  little  woman  could 
not  pass  ;  so  she  selected  a  long  ])olc  from  a  lot  of 
nibljish  in  the  front  yard,  and  with  it  gave  several 
smart  raps  on  the  window  of  "  missus' "  room. 
They  woke  an  echo  that  frightened  the  little 
woman.  Such  shrieks  and  groans  she  had  never 
heard  before  ;  but  it  only  took  a  moment  to  assure 
her  that  they  were  but  the  hysterical  demonstra- 
tions of  Mrs.  Huggins. 

"  Don't  be  skeart,  missus,  it's  only  me,  yer  own 
Weza,  dat  wouldn't  hurt  yer  for  de  world.  What 
on  arth  has  happened  since  I  been  gone  ?  Has  do 
sogers  been  long  by  dcae  parts  ?  " 

Mrs.  Huggins  managed  to  climb  over  her  bed- 
stead, which  had  been  pushed  against  the  window, 
and  drew  out  a  nail  that  had  been  driven  in  ovei" 
the  lower  sash,  —  a  poor  defence  indeed  against  a 
savage  horde,  such  as  she  was  looking  for  ! 

"  Clomb  right  in  here,  yer  dear  little  woman," 
sobbed  Mrs.  Huggins.  "  I  vow  I'm  more  beat  to 
see  yer  than  I  would  be  to  see  an  angel ;  and  a 
moughty  sight  pleaseder !    I  never  believed  Zack 


"1 


FLEEING  BEFORK  THE   YANKEES. 


237 


3 


I  and  fence- 
arrows,  old 
a  bedstead, 
all  to  l»anl- 
ras  plugged 
omau  could 
om  a  lot  of 
favo  several 
lus'  "  room. 
I  the  little 
B  had  never 
snt  to  assure 
demonstra- 

me,  yer  own 
jrld.  What 
le  ?    Has  du 

rer  her  bed- 
the  window, 
'iveu  in  ovei* 
ed  against  a 
for! 

tie  woman," 
aore  beat  to 
mgel ;  and  a 
elicved  Zack 


would  let  yer  come  back,  for  all  yer  promising ; 
no  more  did  Huggins.  Como  in  and  take  a  hold 
on  me  to  keep  down  the  shakin' !  1  haint  eat  nor 
slep'  nor  notbin'  but  jist  only  smoke  and  shake, 
narvous-like,  for  eight'n  forty  hours;  and  in  all 
that  arc  time  yer  poor  master  haint  been  able  to 
do  nothin'  but  jist  to  drink  a  little  gin  and  shake 
too !  Sich  times  as  we've  had  here !  Why,  the 
old  Rivohition,  they  tell  on,  warn't  nothin'  to  'em ; 
and  them  that  jjut  through  so  much  for  freedom 
then  can't  hold  a  candle  to  us  !  If  ever  this  yero 
horrible  war's  over,  we're  goin'  to  'ply  for  a  piu- 
sion  to  pay  us  for  all  we've  done." 

"Why,  missus,  what  has  happened?  What 
have  yer  done  ? "  cried  the  little  woman,  with  real 
sympathy ;  for  though  she  prayed  for  the  downfall 
of  rebellion,  she  didn't  want  any  body  she  knew 
to  fall  down  with  it!  "What  have  yer  been  a 
doin'  here  ? " 

"  Why,  don't  yer  see  ?  We've  been  a  lumberiu' 
up  to  keep  the  Yankees  out,  and  a  sufferin'  all 
sorts  o'  fear !  If  folks  don't  git  pinsions  for  bein' 
skeart  like  this  and  for  luggin'  furnitur'  round  till 
they're  most  wore  up,  I  don't  know  what  they  will 
get  'em  for!  If  the  North  beats,  they  ought  to 
pinsion  every  man,  woman  and  child  to  the  .South 
while  they  lives,  for  the    trouble  we've  took  a 


.5 


Vff^^. 


•mtf 


9W 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDEHNE88. 


gcttin'  up  this  ycro  war  and  keepin'  out  o'  dan- 
ger while  it's  goin'  on ! " 

Woza  smiled  at  this  reasoning,  and  repeated  hor 
question,  "  What  was  all  dis  yere  rubbage  brung 
'bout  de  house  for  ?  " 

u  Well  —  I'll  —  tell  —  ycr  all  'bout  —  it —  when 
I've  filled— a  — my  pipe  — a,"  sobbed  Mrs,  Hug- 
gins,  wiping  her  tears  on  the  uplifted  skirt  of  the 
changeable  silk,  which,  with  the  crape  shawl,  she 
had  donned  several  days  before  to  receive  Yankee 
soldiers  in.  She  had  heard  they -respected  ladies 
more  than  women ! 

After  smoking  a  few  minutes,  with  her  head 
thrown  back  on  one  c'  lir  and  her  feet  resting  on 
another,  she  grew  c         ^nough  to  tell  her  tale  of 

woe. 

"  Well,  one  night  jist  arter  yer  left,  that  hateful, 
contimptible  Luke  o'  the  judge's  come  drivin'  up 
here  in  a  gig  with  Scriptur'  Bill.  They  took  all 
our  men  into  the  corn-house  and  haranged  'em 
for  half  an  hour,  as  bold  as  if  there  warn't  no 
gentry-like  within  hearing.  Scriptur'  Bill  swore 
'em  on  a  book,  and  all  we  heerd  was  that  they 
wasn't  to  rob,  nor  burn,  nor  'stroy  us,  nor  the 
place  ;  but  to  show  theirselves  peaceable  citizens 
and  good  Christians !  But  I  makes  sartin  he  whis- 
pered some  evil  in  there  ears  that  wo  didn't  hear. 


tu 


Ti 


FLEEIHO  BEFORE  THE  YANKEES. 


239 


ut  o'  dan- 

ipcated  her 
»age  brung 

it —  when 
Mrs.  Hug- 
ikirt  of  the 
shawl,  she 
ve  Yankee 
cted  ladies 

her  head 

resting  on 

her  tale  of 

hat  hateful, 
i  drivin'  up 
[ey  took  all 
ranged  'em 
warn't  no 
Bill  swore 
,  that  they 
us,  nor  the 
ble  citizens 
tin  he  whis- 
iidn't  hear. 


I  'spcet  that  they  was  round  dnimmin'  up  a  regi- 
ment of  U.  S's.  to  kill  us  and  burn  the  plantation 
up ! 

'*  The  minute  they  was  gone,  Obe  came  in,  and 
says  he,  '  the  North  is  a  marchin'  down  on  us,  and 
we  must  get  off  into  the  woods  moughty  quick 
arter  dark,  and  hide  evcrythin'  wo  got  there,  or 
they'll  steal  all  we  own,"  says  he,  — '*  the  villyan ! '' 

"  So  at  it  we  went.  They  hauled  all  the  corn 
and  the  bacon  and  the  clothes  into  the  woods  and 
hid  them  while  I  packed  up  here  ;  and  then  they 
come  back  and  said  we  must  fly  for  our  lives  to  a 
place  they'd  found  wliar  we'd  hide  up  safe  till 
daylight.  But  1>  w  to  get  me  there  was  the  ques- 
tion, I  was  so  stiff  in  the  jints,  and  I  hate  to  move 
80 !  One  of  the  men  'posed  that  I  ride  a  hoss- 
back  on  Obe's  boss,  and  he'd  bring  it  back  for 
Obe  —  scein'  that  t'other  boss  was  dead  and  the 
mule  stole,  —  but  I  didn't  know  how  to  ride  a 
hossback,  and  didn't  want  the  trouble  o'  holdin' 
the  reins,  if  I  did.  "  So  Huggins  —  he's  a  power- 
ful genus  when  there's  any  contrivin'  to  be  done 
—  he  got  a  lot  o'  rope  and  mended  up  the  old 
broke-down  gig.  One  wheel  wouldn't  turn,  but 
only  dragged  along,  and  the  whole  cousaru  went 
bumpyty-bump !  bumpyty-bump !  enough  to  shake 
the  life  out  of  a  poor  weak  woman  like  me !    Yer 


I- 1 


''i^ 


'\-: 


.M-M«jipiii«^jiiii,.Biiiii>^iiiBiyiii^^ii,jL,i^itgi,.ii.  ,||llltfJ||^^^^^w^■Mw^■■H,^^.u||l;''1^Ml^pj^^l'fyJ!' 


% 


K-i 


240 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


never  see  such  a  lookin'   set  as   we   was,   tho'  I 
dressed  up   jist  as   if  I   was   goin'   to  quarterly 
ineetin'   or  funeral,  in  these  yere  things,  and  I 
Imint  had  'cm  off  since  !     I  wouldn't  go  round  tho 
road,  no  how,  'fear  we'd  meet  sogers ;  and  when 
they  sot  out  to  coax  me,  I  went  off  into  hysterics, 
and  they  soon  come  to  my  tarms,  I  tell  yer !     I 
can  always  bring  yer  master  'bout,  that  way.     So 
Obe  and  me  got  into  the  gig ;  and  as  I  couldn't 
sleep  on  the  ground,  they  piled  up  a  feather  bed 
and  pillows  and  blankets  and  goody  knows  what 
all,  in  front  of  us  and  most  a  top  on  us,  till  we 
could  hardly  see  daylight  over  the  heap ;  and  then 
we  set  off  over  the  old  cornfield,  the  rest  a  follerin' 
of  us  !     Such  a  lookin'  set  I  guess  yer  never  see  ; 
and  the  way  that  are  old  gig  scraped  and  groaned, 
and  the  way  that  boss   limped,  and  tho  jigglety 
way  Obe  driv,  it  was  awful!     We  broke  down 
twice  and  had  to  bo  tied  up  agin  ;  and  the  'mount 
on  it  was,  the  men  and  their  luassu  'bout  carried 
us,  boss  and  all,  they  had  to  do  so  much  liftiu'  and 
boostin'. 

"  Well,  when  we  got  into,  the  woods,  the  things 
was  tuk  out,  and  I  concluded  artcr  all,  that,  as 
may  be  the  ground  was  damp,  I'd  sit  still  in  the 
gig.  The  mcM  and  yer  massa  lay  down  on  the 
ground,  leavin'  Obed  mi  the  gig  with  me  to  keep 


'CWiifeiiiHtirftfi 


'ih 


vas,  tho'  I 
3  quarterly 
igs,  and  I 
»  round  tho 

and  when 
)  hysterics, 
ell  yer!  I 
it  way.  So 
s  I  couldn't 
feather  bed 
mows  what 

us,  till  we 
) ;  and  then 
3t  a  foUerin' 
■  never  see ; 
lid  groaned, 
the  jigglety 
broke  down 
I  the  'mount 
bout  carried 
;h  liftin'  and 

s,  the  things 
all,  that,  as 
it  still  in  the 
[own  on  the 
me  to  keep 


FLEEING  BEFORE  THE  YANKEES.  241 

watch.    He  didn't  onl,arness,  so's  to  be  ready  to 
start  any  minute  we  heard  the  Yankess  a  eomin ! 

"Well,  I  and  yer  massa  fell  asleep,  and  we 
slop  hke  stones  till  towards  mornin'.     I  woke  u» 
feelin'  awful  stiff  in  the  jints  and  faint  for  a 
smoke.     I  looked  up,  and  there  was  yer  poor 
massa  on  the  ground  asleep -him  that  has  slep' 
ma  mansion-house  so  long -and  not  another 
livin    creatur'  within  sight  or  call !    I  woke  liim 
and  he  looked  about,  but  they  was  all  gone ! 

"  Obe  had  ontackled  the  old  white  horse,  and 
put  the  eends  o'  the  shafts  on  two  stumps  and 
rode  off;  and  there  was  me,  sittin'  up  high  and 
dry,  a  mile  from  home ! 

"Well,  we  looked  about,  and  them  thieves  had 
loaded  up  well  with  all  they  could  carry;  and 
where  the  corn  and  the  bacon  was  hid  we  haint 
found  to  this  day,  and  never  shall !  I  believe  in 
my  heart  that  that  are  stiff  knee,  too,  was  all  a 
mmbug,  for  the  fellow  walked  as  smart  as  any 
body  that  night ! "' 

"  Well,  dere,  I  can't  believe  our  men  could  be 
80  trechus !  "  cried  Woza.  "  If  dey  wanted  to  go 
why  didn't  dey  say  so  and  walk  off  like  otlu^r' 
black  folks?  But  dis  yere  was  none  of  Scriptur' 
Bills  dom's!,  More  like  he  heerd  o'  their  plans 
and  come  over  to  make  dem  'have  dereselves.    If 


u 


"*".'    -'.'g  ■'■"..  !  Ilillllllll 


tm 


242 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


. 


I'd  been  here  I'd  a  told  ycr  ycr  couldnt  keep  'cm, 
for  dcy's  all  flockin'  to  jine  de  regiments  ;  but  I'd 
looked  out  to  have  no  sich-like  work  as  dat, — 
poor  missus !  "  said  Weza. 

This  word  of  sympathy  opened  anew  the  flood- 
gates, and  "  missus,"  biting  hard  at  her  pipe  stem, 
sobbed  and  sniffled ;  and  dropping  her  silk  skirt, 
caught  up  a  corner  of  her  flower-decked  shawl  for 
a  pocket  handkerchief,  and  rubbed  her  poor  eyes, 
already  red  with  the  tears  of  a  week. 

"And  sich  a  —  tug  as"  we've  —  had,  gittin'  — 
the  things  —  back,  and  —  blockadin'  —  the  house 
up, — and — and — yer  massa — don't  b'lieva  there's 
ever  been  a  livin' '  Yankee '  'bout  at  all ! "  sobbed 
poor  Mrs.  Huggins. 


s 


I. 


Ti 


Mmibtm, 


1*4^^, 


t'^    in    ,  -i  I 


,  keep  'em, 

t8 ;  but  I'd 

as  dat,  — 

r  the  flood- 
r  pipe  stem, 
r  silk  skirt, 
id  shawl  for 
■  poor  eyes, 

d,  gittin'  — 
—  the  house 
'hev9  there's 
ai!"  sobbed 


v^;i'h:>-i 


,,^yt(.i*pii,-S^.    -'-'-"'f   ., 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

GOOD  NEWS   FROM  ZACK. 

mHE  scales  of  society  were  fairly  turned  now  in 
J-  the  region  of  which  we  write.  The  Colonel 
and  the  judge,  with  others  of  less  importance,  but 
who  were  yet  the  superiors  of  Dave  Huggins,  had, 
with  their  families,  stepped  out  of  the  ascending 
scale,  and  thus  sent  these  poor  creatures,  laden 
with  mortification  and  poverty,  down,  with  a  bump, 
into  the  mire  of  society. 

These  gentlemen  had  not  fled  from  terror  of 
their  own.  slaves,  as  many  masters  had  done,  but 
rather  from  feu-  of  tl.e  Yankees,  and  from  weari- 
ness of  the  uncertainty  tlmt  Imng  about  every 
thing  at  home.    They  had  no  heart  to  put  in  the 
ground  crops  which  aliens  might  gather,  nor  to 
feed  a  troop  of  blacks  who  would  walk  off  at  will 
to  fight  against  them.    Old  Clco  held  the  keys  of 
the  parlors  and  closets  for  Madam  Leon,  to  whom 
8l»c  was  as  faithful  as  the  magnet  to  the  pole.     She 
looked  and  unlocked  the  corn   and.  the  sinok^ 

/  243 


\ 


'"'"''"'^    •  'Ht-llWifiilliit'iifi  ¥  jliniiliiiii  iiiiiiiiiin  L«|i|ili.j 


jtamm 


ii 


2/kk 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


■I 


houses,  and  gave  out  supplies  according  to  orders. 
"  Freedom  or  no  freedom,  I  will  stick  by  yer, 
missus,"  old  Cleo  iiad  said.  "  Massa's  had  all  de 
corn  out  of  me,  and  he's  got  to  house  up  de  husk ! 
But  I'll  be  faithful  to  yer,  and  look  out  dat  others 
is  ;  but  yer  musu't  spect  me  to  hold  in  de  boys  if 
dey  wants  to  go  fight.  Dcy  looks  on  de  Yankees 
like  ten  thousand  Moseses  dat's  comin'  down  hero 
into  Egypt  for  to  say  to  de  hard  old  Pharys,  '  Let 
my  people  go  ; '  and  if,  after  all  de  plagues  and 
cusses  de  Lord  has  sent,  doy  won't  do  it,  and  de 
people  walks  off  a  carryin'  de  gold  and  de  jewels 
with  'em,  why  den  don't  blame  me !  I  warn  yer 
'fore  yer  go,  dat  if  the  time  comes,  and  de  Lord 
calls,  and  our  folks  goes,  I  shall  stand  on  de  ve- 
randy  and  wave  a  handkcrcher,  and  shout  blessin's 
artcr  'em  in  de  name  of  de  Lord  o'  Hosts !  And 
more,  if  de  sogers  come  down  on  us  a  himgry  and 
thirsty,  I  shall  feed  'em  and  drink  'em  out  o'  yer 
corn-bin  and  coffee-pot,  —  I  shall !  So  now  don't 
let  nobody  call  me  a  thief  nor  an  unfaithful." 

♦'  Cleo,"  said  her  mistress,  "  I'm  not  afraid  to 
trust  you ;  do  the  best  you  can  with  the  people 
an^  the  food  ;  and  if  we  ever  come  home  again, 
you  shall  be  tenderly  cared  for  in  your  old  age. 
You  know  my  feelings  in  this  matter  —  I  would 
not  turn  xaj  hand,  if  by  doing  it  I  could  place 


Matftl'>MX:i«/.       iMWifi  lliril>>  m-^  111     !   MlHiMl)!  !■  liW  ■ 


to  orders, 
t  by  yer, 
tiad  all  de 
)  de  husk ! 
dat  others 
de  boys  if 
e  Yankees 
down  here 
larys,  '  Let 
[agues  and 
it,  and  de 
[  de  jewels 
I  warn  yer 
id  de  Lord 
I  on  de  ve- 
lut  blessin's 
osts !    And 
hungry  and 
1  out  o'  yer 
1  now  don't 
hful." 

ot  afraid  to 
the  peovlo 
home  again, 
ur  old  age. 
r  —  I  would 
could  place 


GOOD   NEWS   FROM  ZACK. 

matters  back  where  they  were  before  this  trouble. 
Ood  rules  in  the  storm  as  well  as  in  the  sunshine, 
mammy,  and  I  only  desire  that  this  great  talamity 
may  work  for  his  gloiy  and  for  the  good  of  your 
people. 

"  All  the  silver  and  valuables  are  put  away  in  a 
safe  place ;  but  if  it  is  in  your  power  to  do  it,  I 
hope  you  will -take  care  of  the  furniture  and  the 
cari)et8,  so  that  the  house  may  be  neat  and  comfort- 
able when  we  return.  And  one  thing  more,  mam- 
my, don't  let  Zack's  wife  starve." 

"  All  dat  I'll  do,  dear,"  said  Cleo,  "  and  'ceive 
yer  back  wit)  open  arms,  and  have  a  powerful  sup- 
per cooked  for  yer,  too.     I'll  promise  for  de  women 
dat  dey'll  stay  alid  wait  on  dear  missus,  even  if  de 
men's  all  'way,  as  I  spects  sartaiu  dey  will  be ; 
for  when  God  calls,  folks  has  to  step  quick !  "     * 
And  accoj-ding  to  this  promise,  Cleo  allowed  no 
servant's  foot  in  the  parlors  or  chambers.    She 
carried  the  keys  of  the  store-house  and  pantry  with 
great  dignity,  while  she  dispensed  their  treasures 
with  a  mothe-ly  hand.    She  and  her  people  were 
now  in  the  upward  scale,  and  looked  down  pitifully 
on  their  poor  white  neighbors.    They  came  and 
went  at  pleasure,  having  meetings,  parties    and 
rides,  — when  they  could  find  any  animals  to  draw 
them,  for  each  departing  hero  had  helped  himself 


irifrrHniiiiirjyiiit 


«Hjlmii"lii  lilH  — 


wmtM 


24d 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


f 


h 


K  :^ 


to  somebody's  horse  or  mule,  and  those  that  re- 
mained were  sorry  looking  steeds. 

All  tliis  time  Huggins  and  his  wife  and  Weza 
had  been  living  on  very  light  fare.  The  poultry 
had  been  dispatched,  after  the  loss  of  the  corn  and 
bacon,  and  before  six  months  had  passed  —  after 
the  flight  of  the  men — they  came  to  absolute  beg- 
gary. At  first^  Huggins  borrowed  from  small 
planters  and  even  poor  whites  ;  but  that  game  was 
now  played  out,  and  the  larder  was  empty.  There 
was  still  a  little  money  which  came  in  from  time 
to  time  from  the  sale  of  pine  wood  to  the  boats 
and  for  the  washing  Weza  did  for  the  boatmen. 
But  that  had  to  go  mostly  for  gin  and  tobacco,  "  to 
keep  up  the  sperits  in  these  yere  horrible  times." 
As  Weza  used  neither  of  these  delicate  luxuries, 
she  fared  rather  hard  in  the  division  of  the  money, 
and,  but  for  the  injunction  of  Madaja  Leon  to 
Cleo,  she  would  have  starved,  gho  had  a  free 
ticket  to  her  table  as  long  as  the  corn,  bacon,  and 
poultry-should  last;  but  the  walk  was  long  and 
she  was  weak  and  weary.  All  the  work  now 
fell  on  her.  She  was  forced  to  draw  logs  from 
the  pine  grove  by'  a  rope,  and  chop  and  split 
them  for  fire  wood.  She  had  to  gather  wild  nuts 
and  corn  shucks  to  feed  the  half-starved  pigs,  and 
do  the  work  of  the  house  —  such  as  it  was.    She 


^feii 


k,Wi^i,a'^w'i^in,iiii".  <iiiiii  >H««i\.fii<hl.ffi  1*^1  ill  tfinWteVi»»i'itiiiiftBr-« 


inanM 


GOOD  NEWS  FROM  ZACK. 


247 


;e  that  re- 

md  Weza 
le  poultry 
3  corn  and 
ed  —  after 
lolute  beg- 
om    small 

game  was 
ty.  There 
from  time 

the  boats 
3  boatmen. 
»bacco, "  to 
jle  times." 
e  luxuries, 
the  money, 
n  Leon  to 
had  a  free 

bacon,  and 
s  long  and 

work  now 
'  logs  from 
)  and  split 
;i-  wild  nuts 
od  pigs,  and 
t  was.    She 


had  not  yet  recovered  from  the  effort  of  «  clarin' 
up  "  after  the  bombardment.  Her  owners  wanted 
little  more  than  their  stimulants ;  for,  having  no 
exercise,  they  hardly  knew  the  pangs  of  honest 
hunger.  They  appeared  to  liave  retired,  body  and 
m'nd,  like  bears  to  tlieir  winter's  den,  to  live  on 
themselves  till  the  spring  of  good  fortune  should 
open  on  them  again. 

Every  now  and  then  Scriptur'  Bill  and  Luke 
would  appear  suddenly  ;  and  after  that  there  were 
extra  luxuries  at  the  disposal  of  Mammy  Cleo. 
There  were  also  a  few  more  fathers  and  sons 
"  missing ; "  but  thus  far  not  a  Yankee  had  been 
seen  in  the  region. 

One  afternoon,  as  Weza  sat  on  the  step  of  the' 
kitchen,  with  her  face  buried  in  her  hands,  she 
saw  young  Prince,  whose  gay  spirit  it  took  more 
than  one  civil  war  to  crush,  coming  at  full  speed 
over  the  old  corn-field  with  a  soldier's  cap  almost 
resting  on  his  shoulders,  and  a  belt  with  tlie  brazen 
and  magic  U.  S.  glittering  on  it,  round  his  waist. 

When  ho  ueared  the  house  his  gait  changed  to 
that  of  a  solemn  march  ;  and  with  his  head  erect 
and  his  shoulders  thrown  back,  he  approached  her, 
touching  his  cap  with  a  military  air.  .  V   .    4 

"Aunty  Weza,"  he  said,  solcimily,  "  I's  sent 
over  to  tell  yor  to  come  to  our  house  to-night. 


/ 


248 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Scrip'  Bill  and  Luke's  a  coiuin',  and  moro's  goin' 
on  dat  I  mustn't  tell  on  !  Daddy's  home  for  ten 
days ;  and  desc  is  his  jewelry  1  got  on  my  head 
and  round  my  waist !  Nobody  aint  got  to  run  off 
n6  more,  and  dere  aint  no  more  contrabangcs,  'case 
Massa  Linkum's  tamed  'em  all  into  freedmen ! 
And  now  our  people's  goin'  to  have  plantations  o' 
dere  own,  and  bo  dere  own  massas,  and  build 
houses,  and  never  be  sold  no  more,  and  have 
schools,  and  larn  books,  and  read  newspapers,  and 
all  kinds  of  fine  thin's!  What  think  of  dat, 
Weza  ? "  ♦ 

"  Don't  b'lieve  a  word  on't !  Yer's  makin'  a  fool 
on  me ! "  cried  the  little  woman,  her  eyes  bright 
with  excitement.  "  Who  send  dat  word  to  me, 
ha?" 

"  Scriptur'  Bill ;  and  he  see  Zack  four  days  'go, 
and  Zack  said,  Tell  Weza  '  God  bless  ye ; '  and  he's 
got  a  present  for  yer,  and  de  dear  knows  what  all ! " 
cried  the  boy.  ...      ;;      ■:■•■      :   :■;  —  ;!  - « 

"  Well,  if  Scriptur'  Bill  send  dat  word  to  me, 
it's  de  livin'  truth,  for  he  don't  fool  nobody  nor 
make  jokes.  Tell  'em  I'll  be  dere  'fore  dey  'spects 
me,  and  here's  a  dime  for  yer,  ye  smart  old  head ! 
Yer  can  carry  an  errand  as  good  as  a  post-office, 
yer  can ;  and  I  guess  if  Massa  Linkum  had  yer, 
he'd  get  sarvice  out  o'  yer;  yer'd  run  round  to 


%k 


lAiiiitltiliiiiiiiiftiiiii^iii  ii  iwiBitA  rnilrilMt'intilit«r.-ta>>i-.if*.irf<»*iiW^lri 


GOOD  NEWS  PROM  ZACK. 


249 


ro  8  goin' 

lO  for  teu 

my  head 

0  run  off 
igcs,  'case 
reedmen ! 
itations  o' 
ind  build 
and  hare 
ipers,  and 

1  of   dat, 

* 

kin'  a  fool 
res  bright 
rd  to  me, 

days  'go, 
'  and  he's 
what  all!" 

rd  to  me, 
obody  nor 
iey  'spects 
old  head! 
post-office, 
\  had  yer, 
1  round  to 


pick  up  black  soldiers  better'n  Luke  or  Scriptur' 
Bill  does ! " 

"  I's  goin'  to  wait  for  yer,  Weza,  so's  to  have 

company  'cross  fields,"  said  the  boy.    And  the 

•   imaginary  warrior  sat  down  on  the  step  as  she 

turned  to  go  into  "  missus' "  room  to  ask  leave  of 

absence. 

"  Don't  ax  her,  Weza,"  he  called  after  her ;  "just 
tell  her  yer  goin'.  Yer  got  no  more  need  to  ax  her 
den  she  got  to  ax  yer.  She  aint  yer  missus,  'case 
yer  a  freedmen  now  ! " 

"  Don't  yer  be  too  peart,  chile,  but  'raember  dat 
pride  goes  afore  destruction  ;  and  dose  poor  'flicted 
white  folks  is  do  Lord's  creatur's  as  well  as  us. 
He  don't  'spise  'em,  no  more  mustn't  we !  " 

But  for  all  this  expressed  humility,  Weza  did 
hold  up  her  head  a  little  straighter  and  speak  in  a 
little  more  confident  tone  when  she  entered  "  mis- 
sus'" room,  where  that  lady  sat  in  a  semi-conscious 
state  beside  her  lord,  wlio,  being  fully  awake  for 
once,  was  gallantly  holding  her  pipe  into  her 
mouth,  lest  her  teeth  luig'at  relax  their  hold  and 
the  fire  drop  into  her  lap. 

"Missus,  I'll  set  what  dere  is  on  yer  table 
now,"  she  said,  "as  I'm  goin'  over  to  de  Colonel's.' 
Luke's  seen  Zack,  and  he's  got  a  message  for  me.    i 
If  I  don't  come  back  to-night  don't  be  worried,  I'll   » 


m<im:rM  it,.^'-..;,..   ■        '^^      ,'       ■   -'.^.-..^l..^. 


mm 


^' 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 

be  licrc,  8urc„tirac  so  make  de  hoe-cakes  Tjr  break- 
fast." 

"  The  land  o'  goodies !  "  exclaimed  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins,  oiHjning  her  eyes  wider  than   she  had  in 
months.     "That  aint  yer,  sure,  speakin'  up  that 
are  smart  way  !     Goin'  to  stay  all  night,  ha  ?   Just 
as  if  yer  hadn't  no  owners  left  yer!     Such  like  talk 
will  do   for  the  Colonel's  and    the  judge's   poor 
creatur's,  that    haint   got   no    kind   massas    and 
missuses  to  stand  by  'em ;  but  for  yer  to  speak  up 
BO  smart  arter  we've  took  all  the  trouble  and  run 
resk  o'  cur  lives  to  stay  by  yer  and  pertcct  yer,  — 
it's  too  much  !     'Spose  we'd  been  as  selfish  as  our 
neighbors  and  hadn't  cared  nothin'  'bout  yer,  and 
had  gone  off  to  Washington  or  Hosting  or  some 
other  o'  them  fureign  places,  to  enjoy  ourselves 
and  get  clear  o'  the  Yankees,  and  had  left  yer  to 
starve,  —  what  then  ?    No ;  yer  can't  go  !    I  want 
yer  to  home,  and  to  home  yer'U  stay!     If  that 
mean,  creepin'  Luke  has  got  any  message  from 
Zack,  he  can  come  here  and  deliver  it  in  the  face 
and  eyes  o'  yer  massa !     But  he  won't  dare  to  do 
it,  not  he  !    The  very  sight  of  yer  massa  a  frown- 
in'  on  him  in  the  terril)le  way  he  can  frown  when 
he's  forced  to  would  scatter  him  like  smoke !     Ho 
wouldn't  be  nowhar!     Go  out  into  the   kitchen, 
will  yer,  and  not  bother  me  I    I'm  tryin'  to  see  if  I 


l_ 


GOOD  NEWS   PROM   ZACK. 


for  break- 
Mrs.  Hug- 
ic  had  in 
ii'  up  that 
,  ha  ?   Just 
;h  like  talk 
dge's   poor 
lassas    and 
0  speak  up 
le  and  mn 
tect  yer,  — 
[fish  as  our 
lut  yer,  and 
ig  or  some 
y  ourselves 
i  left  yer  to 
ro !    I  want 
y!     If  that 
sssage  from 
i  in  the  face 
t  dare  to  do 
issa  a  frown- 
frown  when 
jraoke !    He 
the   kitchen, 
u'  to  see  if  I 


can't  just  got  a  little  nap,  and  i(  seems  as  if  the 
wliole  world  had  sot  out  to  toi meat  mc." 

By  this  time  "  missus  "  had  got  her  soiled  cap 
twisted  lialf  over  her  face  and  her  apron  up  to  her 
eyes,  preparing  for  a  bcene,  Huggins  himself 
didn't  feel  quite  equal  to  the  coaxing  and  rubbing 
requisite  on  such  occasions,  so  he  said,  "  Don't 
don't,  don't!"  over  and  over  again,  till  Weza 
could  not  help  smiling.  The  cloud  blackened  and 
the  tears  began  to  fall. 

"If — yer— a  Christian"  —  sobbed  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins; —  "but  I  know  yer  aint  —  and  I  — know  — 
there  aint  no  —  truth  —  in  'ligion  —  and  every- 
body's—  hypocrites  —  and  the  more  tlioy  makes 
b'lieve  'ligious  the  more  they  lies  and  steals  —  and 
is  peart  —  to  their  owners  that's  fed  and  clothed  — 
'em  all  —  their  — lives  for  nothin'  and  "  — 

"No,  missus,  yer  don't  b'lieve  no  such  like 
thing,"  said  Weza.  "  Yer  know  yer  trusts  me 
more  for  my  lovin'  de  Lord  and  scekin'  to  please 
him,  and  yer  know  well  dat  de  best  and  truest 
black  folks  'bout  here  is  dem  dat  bears  de  name  o' 
Jesus.  But  if  yer  think  so  poor  o'  me,  and  is  only 
stayin'  here  to  take  keer  o'  me,  I'll  'lieve  yer  of  de 
burden  dis  yere  day.  I's  got  no  more  claim  on 
yer  for  a  mouthful  o'  hoe-cake,  not  if  I  starves ; 
for  de  news  has  come  dat  Massa  Linkum  has  spoke 


U 


■■■i 


V 


252 


OUT  OF  THE   WILDERNESS. 


i 


de  word  at  last  and  wc's  all  as  free  as  do  birds  o' 
de  air ! " 

Dave  threw  uj)  his  hands  and  then  let  them  fall 
suddenly  into  his  lap,  exclaiming,  "  Well,  then, 
we  haint  got  no  country !  Freedom  is  dead  ;  no 
repul>lic  can't  live  I  Our  enemies  that  fit  agin  us 
in  the  Rivolution,  will  see  the  flag  o'  the  free  a 
dragglin'  round  in  the  mud  now,  and  crow  over 
us  !  Oh,  the  poor  black  folks  that  we  loved  so, — 
what  will  come  on  'em,  with  no  massas  to  feed 
'em  and  take  keer  on  'cm !  " 

And  while  Huggins'  patriotism  and  philanthropy 
found  vent  in  these  heroic  words,  "  missus,"  hav- 
ing laid  down  her  Punch-pipe  carefully  on  the 
window  sill,  had  slipped  off  into  a  hysteric  fit,  or 
soniethlug  resembling  that  as  nearly  as  she  could 
manage  it,  and  was  shrieking  at  the  full  power  of 
her  iuuf.rs 

"  Oh  — ■  that  arc  wicked  —  President !  He's 
jined  handu  —  with  —  the  Yankees  —  and  took  — 
:ti'ies  agin  us  —  in  —  a-a-w-a  —  ah  —  in  this  —  yere 
war !  Oh-oh-oh  !  It  was  our  war  —  oh-oh-oh ! 
We  got  it  up  of  our  own  selves,  we  did !  And 
arter  we  —  got  it  —  all  —  nicely  agoin'  —  they 
—  come — all  I'igged  up — in  soger  clothes — they 
did — and  took  it  —  clean  out  o'  our  hands  and 
begun  to  fight  ua,  they  did !    Oh,  oh,  oh  !    Tliat 


^.«M.M — *.    ill    I  UK 


GOOD  NEWS  PBOM  ZACK. 


258 


wasn't  what  wc  got  up  tho  war  —  for ;  it  —  was  for 
to  tight  them  ;  and  to  stop  their  —  breakinj;  up  a 
free  —  government ;  and  now  see  what  tlicy've 
done;  mined  us  chevohy  and  —  turned  all  —  these 
j)Oor  —  creatur's  out  to  starve  in  the  roads  or  to 
cut  our  throats,  oh,  oh,  oh  !  " 

At  these  last  terrific  words  she  cast  a  look  of 
horror  at  Weza  and  shrieked  out,  "  She  wants  to 
kill  me  ;  don't  let  her  Huggins,  don't !  " 

Dave  evidently  saw  little  that  was  savage  in  the 
mien  of  Weza,  for  he  made  no  reply  except  to 
ask,  "  Hadn't  ye  better  take  a  little  assefidity,  or  a 
bit  of  opyum  ?  " 

Weza  laid  her  hand  gently  on  "  missus' "  shoul- 
der and  said,  "  Yer  know,  missus,  dat  I  wouldn't 
harm  a  hair  q'  yer  head,  and  dat  'stead  o'  yer 
stayin'  here  to  save  me  a  starvin',  I  left  my  hus- 
band down  below,  agin  his  will,  to  come  back 
and  take  keer  o'  yer !  And  I  mean  to  do  it.  yet 
for  the  Lord's  sake,  to  show  yer  dat  I  fears  his 
name !  Yer  never  'bused  me,  and  I  won't  forsake 
yer !  If  I  should,  ye'd  starve  to  death,  sartin ! 
Who's  walked  to  de  river,  hot  or  cold,  a  luggin' 
clothes  back'ards  and  for'ards  to  wash,  so's  to  git 
a  little  money  for  yer  ?  Who's  hauled  all  de  fire 
wood,  and  chopped  and  split  it,  and  waited  on  yer, 
hand  and  foot,  so's  you  haiut  got  out  o'  yer  cheer 


wftrt  rtiiniih^iMwaa*! 


254 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


no  raor'n  in  ycr  best  days,  missus  ?  Think  o'  dat, 
and  don't  call  mc  ongratcful  and  say  ye'rc  afeaied 
o'  my  killing  ycr  ;  for  it  aint  true  !  " 

The  sudden  shock  produced  by  the  news  of 
emancipation,  being  over,  Mrs.  Huggins'  better 
feelings  resumed  their  sway.  The  fit  being  a 
counterfeit  one,  was  easily  gotten  over,  and  smiling 
a  most  ghastiy  smile,  and  holding  out  her  hand, 
she  said,  "  \\  11,  if  ye'ro  truly  a  goin'  to  stick 
by,  I'll  forgive  yer,  tor  arter  all  it  isn't  yer  fault 
that  yer  free,  but  that  are  Mr.  Lincoln's ;  and  what 
better  manners  could  a  body  expect  of  a  man  that 
was  brung  up  in  a  cabin  'stead  of  a  mansion-house? 
I'll  forgive  ye  for  bein'  free  if  yer  wo  .'t  go  over  to 
the  Colonel's  to  glory  'bout  it  and  to  crow  over 
us!" 

"  Yes,  missus,  I  shall  go.  If  I  can  I'll  come 
home  to-night,  but  if  I'm  too  tired  I'll  sure  be  here 
'fore  ye're  up  in  do  moruiu',"  said  Weza. 

"  Well  then,"  cried  the  elastic  "  missus,"  with. a 
smile,  "  take  a  bushel  basket  over  with  yer,  for 
old  Cleo  might  like  to  compliment  me  with  half 
a  dozen  eggs.  Tell  her  our  poultry  is  all  eat  up 
and  so  can't  lay  us  any,  glad  as  they'd  be  to 
do  it." 

Weza  smiled  and  took  the  hint,  and  in  a  few 


miiMMai««MiMiii»«iiifcimi 


■» 


I  o'   (lafc, 
)  afeared 

news  of 
9'  better 
being  a 
i  smiling 
er  hand, 
to  stick 
yei"  fault 
and  what 
man  that 
)n-hou8e  ? 
;o  over  to 
irow  over 

I'll  come 
re  be  here 

3,"  with. a 
1  yer,  for 
with  half 
all  eat  up 

iy'd  be  to 


in  a  few 


^.. 


nr^ 


GOOD  NEWS  FROM  ZACK. 

momc'its  she  and  her  iceen-witted  companion  set 
off  dowii  the  lane. 

Tlicy  had  gone  but  a  few  steps,  however,  before 
they  heard  a  shout,  and  looking  back,  saw  Mrs. 
Huggins  waving  her  husband's  vest  at  them. 

"Tell    Cleo, "  slic    cried,   "that  I'm    dreadful 
mise'blQ    and    haint    got  no    appetite   for    liome 
victuals,  but  when  a  neighbor  sends  mc  iu  any 
little  delicacy  like,  I  have  a  powerful  appetite! 
Tell  her  we've  got  lots  to  eat  at  home,  but   that 
strange  bread  and  cake  and  pie  or  even  bacon,  if 
At's  a  piece  of  a  pig  I  wasn't  acquainted  with, 
tastes  mighty  good !    Madam    used  to  have  pre- 
sarves  and  pickles  and  jellies  and  such  like,  if  she 
didn't  take  'em  off  with  her!    Make  my  compli- 
ments to  the  women,  and  tell  'em  I'm  moughty 
glad  Mr.  Lincoln  has  sot  'em  all  free.     Tell  'em  I 
tliink  a  heap  o'  him  and  that  I've  seen  his  pictur' 
in  a  newspaper  and  call  him  a  powerful  handsome 
man !    I'm  moughty  glad  he  has  beat  iu  this  yere 
war;  and  I  knew  he  would,  for  such  handsome 
men  always  get  their  own  way !     Couldn't  you  find 
a  bigger  basket  than  that  to  take,  in  case  Cleo 
sends  mc  three  or  four  fresh  laid  eggs  that  she 
don't  want  ?  " 

Weza  smiled,  ami  replied  that  this  one  was  largo 
enough  ;  but  her  "  peart "  young  champion  laughed 


"♦'■""ifuiiili'ij tiVi 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


i 


heartily,  and  said,  "  I  reckons  Massa  Linkum's  job 
will  rout  her  up  out  of  her  cheer  or  else  she'll 
starve !  Our  folks  says  yer  got  to  go  over  dere 
and  live,  filse  yer'U  starve  too  !  " 

"  No,  I  couldn't  do  nothin'  but  have  a  good  time 
wid  yer  ;  but  here  I  can  take  care  o'  two  poor  crca- 
tuv's  dat  de  Lord  made,  and  dat  he  pities  !  And 
may  be  dat  way  I  can  do  a  little  for  him,  chile. 
But  when  my  husband  comes,  I  shall  go  to  him, 
dough  dere  was  a  mountain  of  Hugginses  piled  up 
'tween  us !  De  Lord  gives  Zack  de  first  claim  on 
me  for  all  any  body  ;  but  still  I'd  feel  like  I  ought 
to  arn  money  to  feed  dese  poor  helpless  creatur's, " 
said  the  little  woman.  ;     '    ' 


,.   ■U.['.,(i 


-i£'\ 


dq's  job 
I  she  11 
jr  dere 


)d  time 
)r  crea- 
!  And 
I,  chile, 
to  him, 
>iled  up 
iaim  on 
[  ought 
itur's, ' 


CHAPTER  XX. 


ENTERTAINING    SOLDIEBS. 


WHEN  Weza  entered  the  colonoi's  kitchen,  the' 
scene  reminded  her  of  her  first  visit  there. 
The  sanie  grand  "  mammy  "  in  a  white  turban  sat 
in  the  old  arm-chair  giving  orders  to  the  same 
stirring  matrons  in  gay  head-gear,  who  were  bak- 
ing and  Broiling  before  the  blazing  fire.  The  jame 
number  of  little  blacks  crept  or  toddled  about  tlie 
floor,  stumbling  over  each  other  and  pulling  wool 
at  pleasure.  Only  the  strong  men  were  missing. 
They  liad  "  gone  to  help  Massa  Linkum." 
■  Weza  dropped  into  a  chair,  weak  from  weariness 
and  want  of  nourishing  food. 

Well,  honey,"  asked  old  Cleo,  "  how  does  yer 
feel  arter  dis  mighty  news  o'  freedom,  ha  ? " 

"  I  feels  I'd  like  to  use  my  lib'ty  oud  go  hunt 
up  Zack,"  replied  the  little  woman,  sadly.    '<  I'd 
foUer  de  sogers  if  I  knowed  which  way  to  go,  and 
asr 


■A^ 


17 


258 


OUT  OP  THE  WILD32BNES8. 


I'd  tell  Massa  Linkum  all  my  troubles  and  beg  him 
to  let  me  keep  sight  o'  my  last  friend  ;  and  he'd 
do  it  too,  —  de  dear,  tender-hearted  man  dat  he 

is ! " 

«  Well,  keep  up  heart,  honey,"  said  old  Cleo, 
"  and  yer'U  see  and  hear  wonders  bymeby.    We 
'spects  grand  company  to  eat  dis  sUpper,  —  a  hand- 
some young  leftenny  from  de  Bosting  country,  and 
four  sogers  in    blue  — U.   S's,  yer  know,"    she 
added,  with  a  knowing  wink.    '•  Dey's  round  'bout 
here  on  some  business  of  Massa  Linkum's  —  Lord 
bless  him  !    Scriptur'  Bill  come  'long  widout  dere 
axin'  him,  I  guess,  to  see  dey  didn't  do  no  mis- 
chief'bout  here,  — but  Luke,  he's  de  leader  on 
*em.    Dej-'re  arter  blankets  and  bacon  and  hoss- 
feed  and  such-like,  and  if  dere's  any  to'  be  had, 
Luke  will  spy  it  out !    He  haint  never  forgive  his 
family's  being  sold,  and  he  sot  it  down  agin  de 
wliole    Southern  country!     He  vows  hisself   de 
enemy  of  every  man  dat  has  one  dollar  'vested  in 
human  flesh,  'case  one's  held  up  t'other  and  kept 
up  slavery.    We  on  dis  plantation  knows  less  'bout 
de  cuss  den  most  on  'em ;  but  we  must  help  on  de 
good  work  all  de  same.     Dat's  why  we's  bringin' 
on  de  best  we's  got  to  feed  Massa  Linkum's  men 
for  him." 

"  Well,  but  tell  me  'bout  what  Prince  says.    If 


ENTERTAINING  SOLDIERS. 


259 


I  beg  him 

and  he'd 

,u  dat  he 

old  Cleo, 
eby.    We 
—  a  hand- 
intry,  and 
3W,"    she 
>und  'bout 
's  —  Lord 
idout  dere 
o  no  mis- 
leader  on 
and  hoss- 
o'  be  had, 
forgive  his 
n  agin  de 
hisself   de 
'vested  in 
r  and  kept 
}  less  'bout 
tielp  on  de 
's  bringin' 
turn's  men 


says. 


If 


we's  all  free,  why  don't  the  sogers  go  home  and  we 
go  whar  we's  mind  to  ? "  asked  Weza. 
*  "'La,  honey,"  cried  old  Cleo  ;  "  it's  one  step  to 
take  a  chicken  out  of  de  hawk's  mouth,  but  it's 
another  to  put  an  eend  to  de  hawk,  so  he  shan't 
fly  at  de  brood  agin !  And  dat's  what  de  sogers  is 
at  now.  We's  free,  for  sartin  —  dey  bring  de 
news ;  and  Bill  had  prayers  wid  us,  and  we  sung 
and  shouted  to  de  Lord  for  an  hour  dis  mornin'  I 
When  yer  buries  me  yer  can  sing, 

She  enter  heaven  widout  a  chain, 
For  Boul  and  limb  was  free  I 
Shout  glory,  Hallelujah ! 

But  be.  sure  to  say  dat  I  spent  my  life  wid  de 
colonel  and  madam,  'case  I'm  proud  o'  dat!^^ 

"  What's  de  good  o'  being  free  if  I  can't  Ua'C 
wid  Zack  ?  "  asked  Weza,  mournfully. 

"  You  can  live  with  him,  honey  ;  dis  war's  goin' 
to  be  over  quick,  now ;  and  den  we'll  all  meet  our 
friends  agin  and  have  a  little  heaveil'down  here 
'fore  we  go  home  to  de  big  one  above,"  replied 
Cleo. 

"  Here ! "  cried  a  stout  matron,  "  dat  dear  crea- 
tur'  is  about  starved.  Don't  wait  for  de  supper, 
give  her  a  cup  o'  coffee  and  some  bacon  and  eggs." 

And  so  Weza  was  served  bountifully  at  a  little 


260 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


tabic ;  and  the  effect  produced  on  her  spirits  was 
wonderful. 

Hungry  people  can  never  face  the  ills  of  lif# 
bravely.  When  one  has  great  things  to  do  or 
dare  he  should  be  well  fed  before  his  mission  is 
made  known  to  him.  Many  an  exploit  has  failed 
l)ecau8e  entrusted  to  a  man  faint  from  toil  or 
hunger.  As  wine  and  oil -make  the  heart  glad 
and  the  face  to  shine,  so  do  the  more  substantial 
blessings  of  the  board  strengthen  the  courage  and 
raise  the  hopes  of  weak  man. 

Weza  had  scarcely  finished  her  meal  when  the 
tramping  of  horses  drew  all  the  women  to  tlie  door. 
Tliere  was  a  gay,  boyish-looking  officer  on  a  good 
horse,  and  four  mounted  privates  behiqd  him, 
while  Scrfptur'  Bill  and  Luke  brought  up  the  rear 
seated  on  one  mule,  and  a  sorry  specimen  of  the 
despised  race  he  was,  too  !  '       '  ■; 

"  Sit  in  yer  saddles,  gen'l'men,"  cried  Cleo,  *'  and 
ride  round  to  de  front.  I'll  onlock  de  big  door  and 
'ceive  yer  Ar,  like  I  told  missus  I  would.  Massa 
Linkum  sha'n't  never  say  dat  Mammy  Cleo  took 
his  boys  into  de  kitchen,  nor  yet  into  de  eend  door, 
when  she  held  de  keys  of  de  mansion  house  !  " 

The  parlors  were  thrown  open  and  the  white 
folks  let  in,  but  Bill  and  Luke  and  all  the  sable 


—  -  '>»|>«W« 


^jirits  was 

lis  of  lif* 
to  do  or 
nission  is 
has  failed 
m  toil  or 
eart  glad 
lubstaiitial 
urage  and 

when  the 
» tlie  door. 
3n  a  good 
iii)d  him, 
p  the  rear 
len  of  the 

Uleo,  *'  and 
y  door  and 
d.  Massa 
Cleo  took 
eend  door, 


use 


f " 


the  white 
the  sable 


! 


ENTERTAINING  SOLDIERS. 


261 


family  were  kept  in  the  big  hall,  "  to  save  de  car- 
pets." 

"  Well,  aunty,"  cried  the  boy-lieutenant,  "  we're 
starring ;  can  you  give  us  some  supper  ?  " 

"  Yes,  thank  de  Lord,  I  can,  and  I  can  send  a 
few  pounds  of  real  Java  coffee  to  Massa  Linkum 
when  yer  go  back  to  him."  They  all  labored 
under  the  delusion  that  Mr.  Lincoln,  whom  they 
had  sainted  by  the'ir  love,  was  every  where  at 
once  ;  ruling  in  Washington,  recruiting  in  Boston, 
and  fighting  at  the  front  of  every  battle. 

."  Well,  I'll  carry  the  coffee  to  him,"  said  the 
young  man,  smiling ;  "  but  let  us  have  the  supper 
now." 

In  a  few  minutes  they  were  seated,  according  to 
military  etiquette,  at  a  sumptuous  supper  for  those 
days,  having  four  waiters  to  a  man,  , 

"  Aunty,"  cried  the  lieutenant  to  old  Cleo,  "  sit 
down  here  and  pour  my  coffee.  I  want  to  talk 
with  you  so  as  to  tell  Mr.  Lincoln  about  you  when 
I  see  him.   .How  do  you  like  the  war  ? " 

"  I  don't  like  blood  nor  sorrow,  no  way,  chile !  " 
replied  Cleo;  "  but  when  folks  will  pull  a  house 
down  spite  of  all  dere  friends  says,  I'm  glad  if  it 
falls  inard  and  destroys  dereselves  'stead  o'  fallin' 
outard  on  de  peaceful  ones  dat's  try  in'  to  save  'em. 
But  de  innocent  must  suffer  wid  de  guilty,  always  ; 


262 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS, 


. 


80  heaps  o'  holy  blood  has  been  shed  wid  dere  own, 
but  do  Lord  has  'venged  it,  and  now  it  has  brung 
do  blessin',  and  it  shall  be  told  on  while  de  world 
stands,  and  arter  dat,  too, —  dis  blood  o'  de 
•  martyral  Do  yer  love  de  Lord,  honey?"  she 
asked,  looking  earnestly  into  the  kind  brown  eyes 
before  her.  .  •    ' 

A  blush  tinged  the  embrowned  clieek  of  the 

youth  as  he  replied,  with  a  forced  smile,  "  I  love 

my  country,  aunty,  and  I   couldn't   rest  till  the 

curse  of  slavery  was  removed  from  her,  that  she 

.  might  hold  up  her  head  among  the  nations." 

"  Well,  dat's  very  pretty  talk  ;  but  I  axed  yer 
do  yer  love  de  Lord  ?  " 

Every  eye  was  bent  on  the  young  man,  who 
quailed  beneath  the  searching  glance  of  this  poor 
old  negress. 

"  Come,  now,  aunty,"  he  said,  "  don't  question 
me  too  closely.  I  came  here  to  get  some  supper, 
and  not  to  say  my  catechism." 

"Do — yer — love  —  de — Lord  — ^ sonny ? "  per- 
sisted Cleo,  in  an  emphatic  tone. 

"My  mother  does,  and  she^s  praying  that  I 
may,"  said  the  young  man,  solemnly.  .    •  « 

"  Well,  den,  dat  means  yer  don't  love  him  yer- 
self.  ITow  dare  yer  go  into  battle  or  how  dare  yer 
sleep,  till  yer  ^^^  peace  wid  him  ?    Dis  freedom 


ve  him  yer- 
lOW  dare  ycr 
Dis  freedom 


«■ 

dere  own,                   , 
ms  brung                ;  i 
de  world 
3d    o'    de                  • 

%:, 

ey?"  she 

►rown  eyes              i.-. 

ek  of  the 

e,  "  I  love                ^ 

9t  till  the 

r,  that  she 

lis."       . 

[  axed  yer 

■ 

man,  who 

f  this  poor 

't  question 

me  supper,               1 

c     .,>    ■      -     --   .                                  1 

nny?"per- 

ing  that  I 

ENTERTAINING   SOLDIEIW. 


263 


dat  ye've  got  for  us  is  a  powerful  thing ;  but  let 
me  tell  yer,  sonny,  it  wasn't  so  hard  for  us  to  be 
in  slavery  to  man  for  a  little  season  as  it  is  for  yer 
to  be  in  bondage  to  Satan  forever !  Now  dat  yer 
got  us  free,  tarn  about  and  pity  yerself,  chile,  and 
fight  wid  de  big  enemy  o'  eouls  till  yer  is  sot  at 
liberty,  too  !  "  . 

"  That's  juat  the  way  my  motlicr  talks,"  the 
young  man  replied,  "  and  I  thank  you  for  your 
advice.  As  soon  as  supper's  over,  I  want  you  to 
give  me  all  you  can  out  of  this  house  for  my  foor 
Yankee  boys  that  are  suffering  hunger  and  naked- 
ness for  your  people.  Can  you  give  me  some 
blankets  for  our  horses  ? " 

"  Mouglit  be  a  few  old  ones,"  replied  Cleo. 

"  How  about  bacon  ?  " 

"  I'll  go  halves  wid  yer,  but  it's  drawin'  to  a 
close,  I  tell  yer." 

"Chickens?" 

"  Take  'em  all  and  give  dem  to  Massa  Linkum." 

"  Any  horse  or  mules  on  the  place  ?  " 

"  Our  l^pys  didn't  leave  not  a  single  huff  when 
dey  went.  Took  all  we  had  and  borrowed  two 
more,"  replied  the  old  woman,  with  an  arch  smile. 

"Any  beef  left?" 

"  Yes,  got  one  cow  to  feed  dese  babies,  and  dat 
yer  can't  have,  no  how !    I'll  fight  for  de  babies, 


■■■■ 


264 


«UT  OF  THE  WTLDKRNEflB. 


u 


for  Ts  bound  dey  shall  live  to  know  what  freedom 


18 


t" 


"  What  have  you  got,  aunty  ?  " 
"Well,  I's  got  a  heap    <>'  old  Java;    massa 
bought  two  whole  bags  short  time  'fore  he  go." 
"That's  what  our  hoys  want  more  than  all. 

Any  tobacco  ? " 

"  Yes,  derc  is  some,  and  yer  welcome  to  it,  for 
it's  nasty  stuff,  any  way  ;  and  Christian  sogers 
from  such  a  country  as  Boating  is  ought  to  bo 
ashamed  to  use  it !  It's  bad  enough  for  poor  ig- 
norant black  men -missus  never  let  her  women 
touch  it ;  yer  may  take  what  dcre  is  and  welcome." 

"  You  have  plenty  of  imrpets  here.    They  would 
make  noble  blankets  for  horses  and  men,"  replied  " 

the  officer. 

"Yes,  but  dey  won't,  do'.    1  hold  de  keys  m 
dis  house,  chile  ;  and  Yankee  or  no  Yankee,  yer 
under   Cloo's  thumb  now.     Me   and  my   women 
could  manage  yer  if  yer  sot  out  to  master  us ;  and 
Scriptur'  Bill  and  Luke  wouldn't  dare  to  raise  a 
finger  to  help  yor!    But  'member,  I've  fed  and 
drunk  yer  — dat  is  my  massa's  enemies  — so  be 
grateful,  and  don't  be  too  graspin'.    Be  a  man,  if 
yer  aint  a  Christian  !  " 

"  So  I  will,  auntie,"  said  the  youth,  smiling. 
«  And  now  where  are  you  going  to  put  us  for  the 


t  freedom 


\ ;    massa 
0  go." 
than  all. 

s  to  it,  for 
lan  sogers 
ight  to  be 
or  poor  ig- 
ler  women 
welcome." 
rhcy  would 
n,"  reitlicd 

de  keys  in 
fankeo,  ycr 
my  women 
ter  U8 ;  and 
B  to  raise  a 
ve  fed  and 
lies  —  so  be 
5e  a  man,  if 

itli,  smiling. 
Lit  us  for  the 


ENTEUTAININO  SOLDIERS. 


266 


night  ?  We've  got  more  work  to  do  in  this  neigh- 
liorhood  to-morrow." 

"  I'll  put  ycr  in  the  best  beds.  Yer,  dat  is  de 
gou'l'man  of  de  lot,  shall  have  de  big  company- 
room,  and  I'll  settle  de  others  mighty  comfort'ble. 
De  house  —  all  but  my  missus'  room  —  is  at  yer 
'sposal ;  but  yer  got  to  mind  me !  " 

The  young  officer  and  his  men  were  now  re- 
freshed and  in  very  good  humor ;  so  they  smiled, 
and  promised  to  obey  her  as  if  she  were  their 
colonel. 

"  Is  dere  any  Christian  'mong  dese  men,  son- 
ny?" asked  the  old  woman. 

"That  tall  fellow  there  — 'long  Dick,'  the 
soldiers  call  him  —  is  a  real  saint,  aunty.  I  often 
hear  hiui  reading  and  praying,  and  exhorting  the 
men  in  camp.  You  don't  want  to  keep  him  here, 
I  hope,  for  I  can't  spare  him." 

"  No,  I  wants  him  to  have  a  prayer  'fore  we 
goes  to  bed.  Scriptur'  Bill,  liere,  can  pray  as  pow- 
erful as  any  body,  but  may  be  yer  and  yer  men 
would  have  more  respect  for  a  white  man's  prayer ; 
so  we'll  ask  dis  gen'l'man  for  to  lead  us,  and  den 
we'll  sing, 

J  ^  i  '  De  yeftr  of  Jubilee  has  come, 

De  Lord  has  brung  his  people  home.' " 


-.-s 


'!i=fS!P 


266 


OtTT  OP  THE   WILDERNtSS. 


"  Well,  the  boys  will  at«y  and  help  you,  aunty," 
said  the  young  man  with  a  side  look  at  liis  soldiers, 
"  and  I'll  go  out  and  look  round  the  place  a 
little." 

"No,  no,  honey,  yer  won't  look  round  'bout  no 
place,  while  we's  cryin'  to  de  Lord  to  have  massy 
on  yer  and  to  set  yer  free  f>-  u  de  slavery  of  yer 
massa  Satan !  Sit  right  down  dcro  in  dat  arm- 
cheer,  and  'member  dat  yer  in  de  presence  o'  de 
Lord  de  Judge,  well  as  a  lot  o'  poor  black  folks." 

The  lieutenant  had  taken  up  his  cap  to  go  out, 
but  he  laid  it  down  again  and  said,  pleasantly, 
"  Well,  if  yer' re  at  the  head  of  the  troop,  aunty,  I 
must  submit." 

Long  Dick,  although  somewhat  daunted  by  the 
presence  of  the  officer,  read  a  Psalm,  and  then 
prayed  fervently  for  the  country,  the  President  and 
the  dear  ones  far  away ;  and  at  length,  growing 
bold  at  the  mercy  seat,  he  offered  a  most  tender 
"petition  for  their  dear  young  officer,  who  had 
treated  them  all  with  a  brother's  kindn.  3^;,  asking 
for  him  the  richest  of  earth's  blessings,  and  above 
all  the  salvation  of  his  soul.  Ho  had  begun  to 
pray  for  those  before  him  whose  fetters  had  just 
beeu  brolcen,  when  Cleo  interrupted  him,  saying, 
with  true  loyalty,  "  Stop  dere,  brother,  yer  forgot 
to  pray  for  de  massa  and  missus  of  dis  house, 


%4s« 


jTOU,  aiinty," 
his  solilicr!*, 
the   place   a 

ind  'bout  no 
have  massy 
laveiy  of  ycr 
in  dat  arm- 
rcsencc  o'  do 
lack  folks." 
ip  to  go  out, 
1,  pleasantly, 
roop,  aunty,  I 

unted  by  the 
m,  and  then 
President  and 
igth,  growing 
I  most  tender 
er,  who    had 
»dn.  8s;,  asking 
igs,  and  above 
had  begun  to 
tters  had  just 
[i  him,  saying, 
ler,  yer  forgot 
of  dis  house, 


ENTERTAINING   SOLDIERS. 


267 


dnt's  been  like  a  father  and  mother  to  ys  deso  long 
years  !  Ax  do  Lord  to  bless  dom  wid  every  blessin' 
dot's  worth  havin',  hero  and  beyond.  Missus  is  a 
saint  on  arth  now,  ))nt  massa,  he's  much  cumbered 
'bout  his  crops  and  his  money,  and  he's  rebellious 
agin  dis  yere  war,  do  he  knows  in  his  soul  dat  it's 
just  and  right !  Pray  de  Lord  to  bring  him  down 
humble  to  his  feet,  aqd  to  reward  him  for  his  kind- 
ness to  us  and  to  all  do  poor  'fTlicted  black  folks 
on  other  plantations." 

Til  is  episode  caused  no  mirth,  and  scarcely  a 
head  was  raised  till  the  soldier,  tims  instructed, 
ended  his  fervent  prayer. 

When  Cleohad  gone  off,  candle  in  hand,  to  show 
the  lieutenant  to  his  room,  Luke  delivered  his 
message  from  Zack,  and  gave  Weza  a  five  dollar 
bill  from  him,  with  charges  to  keep  it  for  her  own 
comfort  and  not  to  feed  her  missus  with  it. 

"  Don't  forget,  Luke, "  said  one  of  the  soldiers, 
*'  that  you  are  to  take  us  to  the  '  mansion  house' 
you  t/.ld  us  of.  If  we  get  nothing  else,  we'll  have 
a.mu:  "  lort  I'd  like  to  set  those  old  bones  to 
w';k  r<jain  barricading  against  the  Yankee  sav- 
ages. ' 

"  Nc,  gen'l'raan,  "  cried  Wcza,  "  please  don't  do 
^^buch  I'oolish  thing.  Yer  wouldn't  give  ten  dol- 
lars i»  all  ill  do  house  ,  so  derc's  no  use  skeariu' 
de  poor  oreatur's  !  " 


A, -,a^^  .^.^.^  niinriw 


r  iiTlli  7f11ittHi>iliiri^ 


MBHI 


^ 


268 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDEBKE8S. 


u  Our  orders  are  to  go  to  every  house, "  replied 

one  of  the  men.  . 

At  grey  dawn  poor  Weza,  accompanied  by 
Prince  carrying  a  well  loaded  basket,  made  her 
way  home.  She  stirred  up  the  family,  and  after 
feeding  them  ..ell,  broke  the  news  that  the  Yan- 
kees were  coming,  and  advised  them  to  receive 
them  kindly  and  to  offer  tliem  any  thing  they 
wanted  — a  very  safe  offer. 

Instead  of  being  frantic  with  alarm,  as  she  had 
expected,  "  missus"  seemed  quite  pleased  with  the 
idea  of  the  visit,  a^  she  felt  safe  under  the  patrcu- 
acre  of  Weza.    She  asked  for  the  loan  of  her  pmk 
calico,  Zack's  partifng  gift,  remarking  that  as  it  was 
half  a  yard  too  short,  she  would  sit  still  all  the  t,me 
they  stayed  and  then  it  wouldn't  show.    So  8h« 
was  gotten  np  as  well  as  possible  in  the  borrowed 
dress  and  the    crape  shawl,  and  sat  waitmg  m 
state ;  but  poor  Huggins  had  no  body  to  borrow 
from,  and  being  out,  both  at  knees  and  elbows,  he 
took  to  the  woods  for  privacy. 

When  the  officer  and  his  men  entered,  however, 
Mrs.  Hurgins's  courage  gave  way  and  she  turned 
deadly  ps  le.  She  was  soon  reassured  by  the  pleas- 
ant face  of  the  lieutenant  and  the  civil  behavior  of 
the  men,  and  by  seeing  Scriptur'  Bill  and  Luke  m 
the  rear;  for  she  knew  they  would  not  look  on 


litiiuiMMiW 


, "  replied 

}anied  by 
made  ber 

,  and  after 

b  the  Yan- 
to  receive 

thing  they 

as  she  had 
ed  with  the 
the  patrcu- 
of  her  pink 
lat  as  it  was 
all  the  time 
)W.     So  6h9 
iie  borrowed 
;  waiting  in 
y  to  borrow 
d  elbows,  he 

red,  however, 
d  she  turned 
by  thepleas- 
1  behavior  of 
and  Luke  in 
not  look  on 


^'•gJ'!'l;W!'^iW!:!|Wi?l^Ji'i^.'ip.,jj^^ 


"T^ 


ENTERTAINING  SOLDIERS. 


269 


quietly  and  see  her  murdered.  Ere  long  she  got 
strength  to  converse  with  the  officer  and  to  answer 
his  questions  about  blankets  and  bacon,  horses 
and  mules,  which  was  easily  done  by  the  use  of 
one  little  negative !  She  told  them  that  she  and 
her  husband  —  who  had  gone  to  the  Bcnd.on  busi- 
ness, and  would  be  mighty  sorry  to  miss  their  visit 
— were  both  Union  men,  and  that  they  had  sent  off 
all  their  corn  and  bread  to  the  U.  S.'s  long  ago  ; 
and  that  was  why  they  were  so  poor  now.  And 
then  she  sliowed  them  her  Punch  pipe  and  offered 
each  of  them  a  smoke  ! 

And  while  the  men  were  amusing  themselves 
with  her  outlandish  appearance  and  conversation, 
Luke  was  at  the  door  writing  a  letter,  at  Weza's 
dictation,  to  Zack.  He  took  a  board  across  his 
knees,  laid  a  sheet  of  paper  on  it,  and  putting  his 
pencil  into  his  moutlf  between  every  two  words, 
wrote : 

Ml   DERE   HUSBUN 

Thank  God  yer  well  and  hav  got  lib'ty  for 
our  pepel,  ax  massa  linkin  ef  he  wunt  let  yer 
com  l»om  case  i'm  so  lonsom  tell  him  i  los  do 
boys  and  dat  i  aint  strong  i  been  in  de  wil'ness 
mostly  senc  yer  been  'way  but  al  times  i  thank  de 
Lor'  dat  i  got  him  and  yer  mor  tim  i'm  way  frnm 
yer  more  i  loves  yer  i  wud  creep  on  my  knees  all  do 
way  to  git  whar  u  is  but  i  cant  its  so  fur  and  Ink  sav 


^.^^.^iSBitilif^^^^ 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS.  i 

womun  can't  go  i  counts  de  minets  on  do  ole  clock 
S  ycrcums  we's  orfulpoor  but  curnul's  fo^s  Bens 
me  thins  ur  luvm  wif  Wbza 

This  was  a  mighty  effort  both  for  tUe  dictator 
and  the  amanuensis  ;  a.id  poor  Luke,  after  folding 
the  epistle  and  putting  it  into  his  breast  pocket, 
wiped  his  face  and  drew  a  long  breath,  as  if  he  had 
been  chopping  hickory  wood. 

There  being  nothing  worth  carrying  oflF  the 
place,  the  party  soon  withdrew,  leaving  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins  charmed  with  tlie  Yankees.  She  was  amazed 
to  and  they  looked  so  much  like  other  men,  and 
declared  that  if  she  had  met  them  on  the  road, 
without  blue  clothes  and  U.  S.'s  on  'em,  she  never 
should  a  knowcd  tlioy  wasn't  gentlemen  -just  like 
the  chcYclry,  mostly." 


3  ole  clock 

folks  sens 

Weza 

^e  dictator 
ter  folding 
ist  pocket, 
s  if  he  had 

ng  off  the 
Mrs.  Hug- 
vas  amazed 
r  men,  and 
11  the  road, 
I,  she  never 
1 — just  like 


"■Mi'mvnmm.min  f> 


"\ 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

DEEPEB  IN  THE  WILDERNESS.      '    . 

« 

THE  darkness  increased  as  the  night  wore  on 
towards  our  country's  glorious  morning.  Want 
began  to  tiiin  off  the  blacks  on  the  plantations. 
They  all  hoped  that  in  change  of  place  there  might 
be  relief.  The  Colonel's  women  and  two  old  men 
had  put  crops  of  corn  and  vegetables  into  the 
ground,  and  managed  to  feed  two  or  three  hogs 
and  a  score  of  hens,  and  liad,  in  otlier  ways,  nobly 
resisted  the  evils  brought  on  them  by  the  wrong 
doing  of  others.  And  amid  all  theh-  toil  and  liard- 
ehips,  they  bad  remembered  Weza  and  shared 
their  loaf  with  her,  taking  care,  however,  that  she 
should  eat  what  they  gave  her  under  their  eye,  lest 
she  might  give  it  to  "  masssa "  and  '"  missus," 
whom  they  would  gladly  have  seen  starving  for 
their  laziness. 

But  the  hour  had  come  when  these  humble  licr- 
oines  could  do  no  more  with  such  limited  means. 

271 


J 


■  .i.*ff  tiyjiiiii-tiiiiii'j. 


^ 


!♦ 


PT^^rwajw- 


i«i«SS»»»We     'RWW-  " 


mm 


272 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


Winter  was  approaching,  and  there  was  scarcely  a 
rag  left  which  bore  the  name  of  clothing,  and  the 
state   of  the  corn-bin  and   bacon-house  foreboded 
famine.     More  than  one  of  the  number  had  hinted 
that  now  all  the  blankets  were  used  up  they  might 
malie  clothes  for  themselves  and  children  out  of 
the  parlor  carpets.     But  Cleo,  who  had  already 
given  all 'the  poorer  ones  to  the  soldiers,  rebelled 
against  sacrificing  these.     "  I'd  be  so  proud,"  she 
said,  "  if  our  folks  should  come  back  and  say, '  See 
how' faithful  Cleo  has  been  ! '     But  yer  strong  ones 
all  go  down  river  and  get  work,  and  I'll  stay  wid 
old  Polly  and  Cherry  and  take  keer  on  de  old  men 
and  do  young  fry.     I^at'U  make  de  corn  go  furder, 
and  yer  can  am  money  for  clothes  ,  and  bymeby 
dis  yere  war  will  bo  over,  and  den  we'll  eat  as 
much   as  we   wants.     I'll    stan'    guard    over    de 
babies  and  all  de  chil'cn  whiles  ye's  gone,  for  I's 
bound  dcy  shall  live  to  taste  freedom." 

The  women  yielded  to  this  advice,  and,  with 
Chrissy  for  their  leader,  were  soon  tying  up  their 
very  small  bundles  to  set  otf,  hoping  to  induce 
Weza  to  accompany  them. 

Just  then  Luke,  who  was  always  scouring  the 
country  on  some  mysterious  errand,  rode  up  on 
thehorse  of  a  poor  fallen  confederate  officer. 

After  hitching  him  to  a  ring  which  hi.  \  one  end 


.^.m^ 


J^ 


mm 


DEEPER  IN  THE  WILDERNESS. 


(carcely  a 
;,  and  the 
foreboded 
ad  hinted 
liey  might 
[•en  out  of 
d  already 
8,  rebelled 
roud,"  she 
1  say, '  See 
trong  ones 
1  stay  wid 
le  old  men 
go  furder, 
lid  bymeby 
e'll  eat  as 
[    over    de 
)nc,  for  I's 

and,  with 

ug  up  their 

to  induce 

iouring  the 
i-odc  up   on 
!icer. 
c  d  one  end 


t 


of  the  clothes  line,  he  w^nt  into  the  kitchen  and 
sat  down  very  solemnly.  He  took  a  handful  of 
change  from  his  pocket  and  gave' it  to  old  Oleo, 
saying,  "  Here,  mammy,  de  boys  sent  dis  to  yer  to 
keep  de  folks  'live  till  dey  gets  back,  — which 
looks  to  be  mighty  quick  now.  We'se  had  a  pow- 
erful big  fight,  and.  Oh  Lord,"  he  cr;ed,  throwing 
lip  his  hands  towards  heaven,  "  it's  cost  us  dear  I  " 

"  Luke,  yer  as  white  as  an  Injun,"  cried  one  of 
the  women.  "  I  makes  no  doubts  but  de  rebs  has 
whipped  us  Yankees  and  will  tarn  round  now  and 
'slave  us  all  agin.     Speak  out  de  worst !  " 

"  No,  no,  dat  isn't  so.  We's  got  our  liberty  for 
sure,  but  we's  lost  Zack  !  " 

The  women  groaned  and  called  on  God  "  to  pity 
de  poor  lovin'  heart  dat  would  now  be  more  broker 
den  ever  before." 

"Luke,"  cried  Cleo,  "I  don't .  b'lieve  Zack's 
dead." 

"  Yes,  mammy,  shot  through  de  heart ;  dat  was 
de  only  place  dey  could  shoot  him  in,  he  was  so 
tough,"  said  Luke,  with  a  mournful  shake  of  the 
head. 

"  Zack  am  not  dead,"  replied  old  Cleo,  positively. 
"  De  man  dat  fit  by  his  si(fe  and  see  him   fall 
told  mc  dat,  and  he's  a  true  man,"  said  Luke. 
"  He  aint  truer  den   de  Lord,  Luko ;  Zack's  a 


274 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


livin',  I  knows.  I  axed.de  Lord  to  save  all  our 
boys  and  bring  'cm  back  to  us  when  do  war  was 
over.  I  hear  a  voice  sayin', '  'Cordiu'  to  dy  faith 
shall  it  be  unto  dee.'  Dc  Lord  gin  me  a  promise 
for  Zack  in  de  dark  night  when  I  humbled  my  soul 
'fore  him  wid  fastin'  and  prayer  ;  and  do  yer  think 
he's  goin'  to  break  his  promise  ?  No,  Luke,  Zack's 
a  praisin'  of  de  Lord  dis  night  sorac'ercs  ;  may  be 
in  hospital,  may  be  in  prison,  but  he  aint  dead." 

Luke  pressed  the  matter  no  farther,  but  it  was 
evident  that  old  Cleo's  faith  did  not  extend  to  him 
or  to  the  women. 

It  is  vaip  to  attempt  any  description  of  the 
grief  of  the  strickei.  wife  when  Luke  told  her  that 
her  last  friend  was  gone.  After  the  first  shock  — 
by  which  Mrs.  Huggins  was  as  much  overcome  as 
herself — she  said,  "  Well,  Luke,  de  day's  a'moat 
done  wid  me,  and  I'll  soon  go  to  Zack.  Thank  de 
Lord,  and  tell  all  de  sisters  to  thank  him  dat 
when  chireu  and  husband's  all  tuk  away,  I's  got 
Christ  left.  I'll  lean  on  him  alone  now  while  I 
stays  in  de  wild'ness,  and  I'll  lean  oli  him  goin' 
through  Jordan.  0,  brother  Luke,  what  do  poor 
folks  do  dat  hasn't  got  any  Jesus  to  lean  on  when 
all  else  is  tuk  away  from  dem.  Oh,  how  beau'ful 
heaven  must  be  to  de  happy  souls  dere  now  dat 
Zack's  in  it." 


Lve  all  our 
Ic  war  was 
to  dy  faith 
I  a  promise 
led  my  soul 
o  yer  thiuk 
iuke,  Zack's 
es  ;  may  be 
it  dead." 
•,  but  it  was 
tend  to  him 

ition  of  the 
old  her  that 
.rst  shock  — 
overcome  as 
day's  a'most 
I.    Thank  de 
ank  him  dat 
awayjl's  got 
now  while  I 
on  him  goin' 
what  do  poor 
lean  on  when 
,  how  beau'ful 
dere  now  dat 


I 


1 


DEEPEU   IN   THE   WILDEUN'ESS. 


275 


And  a  smile  passed  over  her  sad  face,  and  her 
heart  was  comforted  with  the  hope  of  a  heaven 
with  Zack. 

After  this  great  sorrow,  came  the  hardest  part 
of  this  meek  creature's  journey  through  "the  wil- ' 
derness."  Her  sympathizing  friends  were  gone, 
toil  and  povei-ty  pressed  hard  upon  her,  an&  tlje 
hope  of  seeing  Zack,  which  had  been  tlie  star  of 
her  darkness,  was  gone.  But  still  she  did  not 
sink.  She  looked  at  the  two  helpless  creatures 
before  her  and  accepted  the  care  of  them  as  her 
work,  —  for  she  had  none  else  on  whom  to  bestow 
labor,  and  they  had,  as  Mrs.  Huggius  said,  no 
friend  but  her  to  lean  on. 

As  soon  as  she  could  fix  her  mind  on  any  thing, 
she  gratified  her  feelings  by  dyeing  black  her  pink 
caUco  and  her  blue  gingham,  and  exchanging  her 
gay  turban  for  one  of  white.  And  then  she  took 
up  her  toil  and  care  again  and  went  on  as  before 
this  great  calamity. 

When  a  new  spring  opened  on  that  almost  de- 
serted region  the  question  of  a  crop  came  up. 

"  If  we  don't  plant  we'll  die,  mas'sa,"  said  Weza. 
"  We  must  put  in  de  corn  I've  bought  and  raise  a 
little,  anyhow.  If  we  tries  to  help  ourselves  God 
will  help  us."  ^ 

"  Halnt  got  no  boss  nor  mule  to  plough  with," 
replied  Dave,  mournfully. 


itSm 


ji 


276 


OUT  OF  THE   WILDEBNCSS. 


r. 


"Can't  .we  spade  up  a  little  ground?"  asked 
Weza. 

".May  be  yer  can,"  replied  Dave,  "but  it'll  be 
powerful  hard  work  for  yer.     It  makes  my  bones 
"ache  just  to  think  on't.    If  yer  could  only  plough 
I'd  try  to  plant  and  hoc  a  little." 

"  I*ve  heerd  tell  of  a  country  way  off  som'eres," 
replied  Weza,  "  where  the  men  ploughs  with  their 
wives  for  mules.  So  folks  can  do  it  without 
bosses.  Now,  if  yer'U  diaw  the  plough'  I'll  hold 
it,  and  we  can  turn  up  the  ground  a  little." 

"There  now,"  cried  "missus,"  " that's  just  the 
plan.    I  do  like  to  see  folks  have  pluck  in  times 
like  these ;  and  it  makes  me  proud  to  be  yer  wife, 
Dave,  —  yer  such  a  sperited  man.     Takes  more 
than  the  North  to  put  yer  down.     That  man  that 
navigated  out  this  yero  half  o'  the  world  couldn't 
beat  yer  for  layin'  o'  plans  or  carryin'  on  'em  out. 
Yer  a  genus  for  contrivin'.     I  like  to  encourage 
folks  that's  got  so  much  pluck,  and  I'll  tell  yer 
what  I'll  do  ;  if  yer  and  Weza  will  plough,  I'll  let 
yer  move  my  cheer  cross  the  room  to  t'other  win- 
dow, and  I'll  set  and  look  at  yer  and  tell  yer  if 
yer  furrcrs  is  straigljt."     And  Mrs.  Huggins  looked 
triumphant  after  this  noble  offer  of  patronage  and 
self-sacrifice.     She  felt  that  she  deserved  a  martyr's 
crown ! 


■4iMiM«MfaMli*^ 


MdM^Miil 


DEEPER  IN  THE  WILDERNESS. 


277 


?"  asked' 

it  it'll  be 
my  bones 
ily  plough 

jom'eres," 
with  their 
it  without 
1  I'll  hold 

. " 

;'»  just  the 
k  in  times 
e  yer  wife, 
akes  more 
■j  maa  that 
Id  couldn't 
jn  'em  out. 
encourage 
'11  tell  yer 
ugh,  I'll  let 
t'other  win- 
tell  yer  if 
rgins  looked 
tronage  and 
d  a  martyr's 


■  Dave  evidently  demurred  in  heart ;  and  Weza, 
seeing  this,  said,  "  Now,  massa,  I've  gone  just  as 
far  as  I  can  go  alone.  If  yer  'U  wake  up  now  and 
help  me  I'll  stan'  by  yer  to  de  last,  but  if  yer 
don't  I  must  go  down  river  and  find  work  to  take 
care  of  myself,  for  I'm  a'most  dead." 

This  threat  always  galvanized  Dave  and  brought 
on  a  little  spasmodic  action.  So  he  promised  to 
draw  the  plough  for  her,  and  to  do  all  he  could 
towards  planting  and  hoeing. 

The  wardrobe  of  the  master  and  mistress  had 
by  this  time  almost  vanished  away.  Even  the 
changeable  silk  had  dropped  oflF  of  its  owner  piece 
by  piece,  and  the  crape  shawl  had  about  fulfilled 
its  mission  as  a  cloak  to  hide  radical  deficiencies. 
And  "  massa's  "  clothes ;  well,  there  was  not  enougli 
left  of  them  to  write  about.  He  was  under  the 
painful  necessity  of  running  off  whenever  anybody 
approached  the  house.  He  looked  little  enough 
like  one  of  the  "  ehevelry  "  of  whom  Mrs.  Hug- 
gins  so  often  boasted.  In  this  sad  emergency, 
Weza  cut  up  two  pairs  of  blankets  and  made  a 
suit  for  each  of  them.  Madam  Dcmorest  —  that 
ubiquitous  ruler  of  fashion — may  rack  her  brains 
to  get  up  something  "  new  and  striking,"  but  the 
like  of  "  missus'  "  blanket-dress  will  noter  dawn 
on  her  vision.     Weza  had  exercised  some  taste  in 


■' 


278 


OUT   OF   THE  WILDERNESS. 


its  construction,  arranging .  the  red  and  green 
border  so  that  it  ran  round  the  bottom  and  up  tlic 
frcnt,  but  the  robe  was  too  sliort  bcliind  and  too 
long  before,  and  altogether  it  was  a  remarkable 
piece  of  mechanism.  But  Dave's  suit  of  tlic  same 
material  outshone  it  in  its  peculiarity.  Poor  Weza 
had  not  been  a  tailoress  in  times  of  peace,  Init  had 
become  one  from  the  necessities  of  war.  She  had 
very  little  idea  of  "  the  human  form  divine  "  or 
how  much  it  owes  to  that  benefactor  of  the  sons 
of  Adam  —  the  tailor.  So  she  cut  and  made  two 
long  bags  and  joined  them  together  at  tlte  top 
letting  the  gay  stripes  come  wherever  fate  decreed. 
These  she  styled  pants,  and  they  had  one  charm 
—  they  were  very  loose  and  easy.  But  the  gener- 
osity she  had  bestowed  on  this  garment  told  upon 
the  jacket.  That  was  a  wofuUy  tight  fit ;  it  took 
both  her  and  Huggins  with  a  good  deal  of  hard 
work  to  'get  him  into  it.  Buttons  were  things  of 
the  past ;  to  be  remembered,  but  not  to  he  laid 
hold  on  at  the  mansion  house  now.  So  Weza  had 
cut  holes  the  size  of  a  pea  in  the  unhemmed  fronts 
and  whipped  them  round  with  blue  yarn ;  and 
through  these  Dave  had  inserted  leather  thongs — 
which  his  own  enterprise  had  evoked  from  an  old 
boot  legii— by  which  to  fasten  it.  -  . 

It  was  in  this  array  that  Dave  ploughed,  whiio 


-.,iiitt.-».iil?iW. 


1 


lid  green 
ud  up  the 
[1  and  too 
jmaikablo 

the  same 
'oor  Weza 
jc,  but  had 
She  had 
liviue"  or 
f  the  sous 

made  two 
at  tlte  top 
te  decreed. 

one  charm 
;  the  gener- 
t  told  upon 
fit ;  it  took 
cal  of  hard 
re  things  of 
t  to  belaid 
50  Weza  had 
mmed  fronts 
(  yarn ;   and 
\er  thongs — 

from  an  old 

)ughed,  while 


DEEPER   IN  THE   WILDRRXEES. 


279 


"missus  "  watched  the  furrows.  He  feif  the  (uitre 
figure  ho  cut,  and  wlienever  lie  saw  any  one  com- 
ing up  the  road  he  forsook  this  jjlougli  and  sought- 
shelter  in  the  corn-house  near  whicli  he  and  We/a 
were  scratching  up  the  ground.  But  his  eye  was 
on  the  public  road  only,  and  lie  was  surpiiscd  at 
his  work  the  second  day  by  a  otranger  coming  on 
him  from  the  rear. 

"  Is  this  Mr.  Huggins  'i  "  asked  a  tall  and  rather 
awkward  man,  who  had  come  up  the  lane  on 
horseback. 

"  It  u  —  u  —  used  to  be,"  replied  Dave,  in  great 
confusion,  "and  I  —  I  —  reckon  it  would  be  agin 
if  it  had  a  fair  chance." 

The  man  tried  to  look  sober,  but  he  laughed 
outright  ii.>  spite  of  himself  as  he. looked  on  Dsjve's 
nondescript  garments. 

Here  Mrs.  Huggins  raised  the  window,  put  the 
boot-jack  under  it,  and  asked,  "  What  does  he 
want  of  us,  Huggins  ?  "         • 

The  man  turned  towards  her,  and  seeing  her  style 
of  dress  said,  "  I  think  you  want  me  more  than  I 
want  yon,  my  good  woman.  I've  got  some  httle 
capital,"  he  continued,  addressing  himself  to  Hug- 
gins, "  and  I'm  going  to  work  Mr.  Walter  David- 
son's plantation  on  shares.  We  shall  liave  peace 
before  long,  and  then  there  will  be  regiments  of 


J 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


■-  IIIIM 

^  IIIIM 

t  m 


2.5 


1.25 


1.4 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


!ll^ 

IIM 

1.6 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14SB0 

(716)  872-4503 


k. 


%■ 


#?  ^    ///// 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiquas 


i% 


T 


a 


I 


280 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


blacks  seeking  work.  I  don't  understand  your 
soil  nor  your  crops,  and  Mr.  Davidson  said  ho 
•  knew  you  had  been  an  overseer,  and  may  be,  as 
you  was  a  little  under  the  weather,  you'd  like  to 
superintend  the  work  for  us." 

"  Does  planters  that's  lived  in  mansion  houses 
ever  become  overseers  agip  ? "  exclaimed  Mrs. 
Huggins. 

"  Have  yer  got  anything  to  eat  over  there  ? " 
asked  Dave,  who  had  parted  company  with  his 
dignity  long  ere  this,  and  who  was  already  tired 
of  ploughing  and  was  looking  gloomily  on  the 
prospect  of  harvest. 

"Yes,  good  quarters  and  plenty  of  bacon  and 
corn.  We  want  to  be  all  on  hand  ready  to  em- 
ploy  men  as  soqji  as  the  army  is  disbanded,  and 
that'll  be  very  soon,"  replied  the  stranger. 

Huggins  8te])ped  out  from  the  rcpe  which  en- 
circled his  waist  and  so  harnessed  him  into  the 
plougli,  and  said,  wifli  a  promptness  end  energy 
which  charmed  the  man,  "  I'll  go  as  soon  as  yer 
say.  The  quicker  the  better,  for  I  can't  work 
here  without  mules  nor  nothin',  and  I'm  powerful 
hungry." 

"  Well,  then,  turn  your  keys  here,  and  to-mor- 
row I'll  drive  over  with  Mr.  Davidson's  team  for 
you  and  your  wife,"  said  the  man. 


»^ 


J 


and  your 
1  said  he 
aay  be,  as 
I'd  like  to 

ion  houses 
lined  Mrs. . 

T  there?" 
y  with  his 
ready  tired 
lily  on  the 

bacon  and 
eady  to  em- 
janded,  and 
or. 

!  which  en- 
m  into  the 
and  energy 
soon  as  yer 
can't  work 
'm  powerful 

and  to-mor- 
n's  team  for 


' 


DEEPER  IN  THE   WILDERNESS. 


281 


"  I'd  ax  yer  to  stay  to  dinner,  stranger,  if  we 
wasn't  all  loady  to  go  out  a  visitin',"  said  Mrs. 
Huggins  from  her  casement. 

The  stranger  must  have  thought  they  were  goinf^^ 
to  a  masquerade  ball  from  their  style  of  dress,  but 
he  said  only,  "  I  couldn't  stay,  for  we're  driving 
matters  over  there.  The  place  was  run  down  a 
good  deal,  and  we  Yankees  put  our  own  hands  to 
every  thing.  We  never  stand  still  to  wait  for 
help." 

"Be  yer  a  Yankee?"  cried  Mrs.  Huggins,  de- 
spairingly. 

"Yes,  madam.  I  hope  you  arn't  afraid  of 
me  ?  "  replied  the  stranger. 

"  Yer  didn't  come  for  to  entrap  us  and  to  make 
us  'list  in  tlie  U.  S.'s,  did  yer,  mister  ?  " 

"  No,  madam,  I  came  to  make  business  for  you. 
I  have  served  out  my  time  in  the  army  and  now 
want  to  settle  here.  As  soon  as  I  can  I  shall  get 
my  family  down.  You'll  find  me  true  to  my  word 
in  all  things,  I  guess."  And  to  assure  Huggins  of 
his  sincerity  in  making  the  ofier  he  gave  him  a  five 
dollar  bill  and  promised  to  provide  both  himself 
and  his  wife  with  clothes  as  soon  as  they  reached 
the  plantation,  some  ten  miles  away. 

The  plough  was  ^eft  in  the  furrow,  and  there  the 
readea  will  see  it  again  at  a  future  day.    What 


.   OOT  OF  THE  mLDEIWEW. 


^^  Of  ■ 

there  «"8  to  t"""  *''  ^  .  „„i„;  tor  U.eve  w;re        • 
e„««it.,adtob«u„p^ke<Uga   •  ^^^  ^^^  .^ 

„„  surplus  articles   there  to 

":;r;ou.e,ornisot„o;-^^M;;s^^^^^ 

w- '•-T«:"rer::a,":a«-.. 

«No,m.s»8,  I  wa^"  ,„,„„,,  (rom 

,ho  felt  the  feUors  to    tl.e^fi^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^  ^^  ^^^ 
her  hands  and  her  Ice  •  ^^^^^  ^„j  ^ 

•    »-''^"T..orVSd.yerea..a„^lW.s- 
how  yer  g.ts  along-  ^^  ^^  ,„,„„  dat 

it.    ''-^""''""'^"Trs.arVin'mdcWc. 
ted  de  old  ma.>  dat  v^a.  ,ittlc,I  reckon 

^„ano..irn>a«_^d^;.»  7    „„,,,,. 

,„,«  ha,e  a  go  d  >,omc  ^^  ^^^^  ^^„  . 

^V;:tuU  yer-U  have  all  yer  need,  replied  . 

■^''■"'-  V  .  1 "  cried  "  missus,"  "  8<ipl»»° 

„  Oh,  goody  sakesl     »"''  „  „e»    Them 

.hey  did..rt  have  a  woman  to  «^  ^^.^^^  .^  ^  „„, 
Yankees  don't,  yer  kno  ^  ,.„v„  all 

left  to  myrf  *»  ""<'7/°;„„  yer  went  off 
•  „ver  me  and  hury  me  up-  ^,^^^^^  .^ 

.       .      with  Zack,  that  ume  <m   h  .  ^^^^^  ^^  ^^.^^_  ^^  .„ 
,eil  over  my  t»«°-    ""^' 


DEEPER   IN   THE   WILDERNESS. 


a,t  once.    Of 
or  there  were 
vet    niglit  in 

rs.  Hoggins  to 
'  the  bargain." 
i,"  said  Weza, 
Je  falling  from 
,  now  to  go  and 
ie  back  and  see 
e  &a  angel's  vis- 
ce  de  raven  dat 
:in'  ill  do  Dible. 
a  little,!  reckon 
ycr  lives." 
jr  to  take  kccr  on 
,y,  from  the  side 


er 


need,"  replied 


missus,"  "suppose 
.itonme'f    Them 
io  believe  if  1  was 
lid  weave  webs   all 
Vheu  yer  went  off 
:e\low  spun  a'most  a 
Him  off  twice,  "but  in 


a  minute  there  he'd  be  a  weavin'  agin.  He  was  as 
bold  as  a  lion,  and  didn't  stand  in  fear  o'  me  no 
more'u  if  I  wasn't  nobody.  He  never  quit  weavin' 
till  Huggins  —  who's  powerful  sperited  when  he 
once  sets  out  —  made  a  bold  push,  and  pinched 
him  off  my  cap  with  the  tougs." 

In  tlu'ee  days  all  was  as  still  on  the  Huggins 
plantation  as  in  the  buried  cities  of  the  East ;  for 
when  the  family  went  a.vay  there  was  not  even  a 
mouse  to  make  a  noise.  Every  living  thing  had 
been  starved  out  long-  before  that. 

We  will  leave  Huggins  with  Mr.  Davidson  and 
his  deluded  Yankee  partner,  and  follow  Weza  with 
her  little  bundle  to  the  Colonel's.  The  strain  on 
her  strength  being  now  removed,  fihe  sank  down 
from  exhaustion  and  debility.  She  had  now  leis- 
ure to  be  sick,  and  a  slow  fever  seized  upon  her. 
Ere  many  days  she  was  unconscious  of  all  that  was 
)jag«ing  around  her.  Cleo  watched  over  her  ten- 
derly for  many  weeks,  and  then  pronouiiced  her  dy- 
ing. She  told  some  foraging  blacks  whom  she  had 
kept  over  night,  that  "  Weza  was  most  home  to 
glory,  and  that  they  might  spread  de  news  'long  de 
lines  so  dat  our  boys  might,  may  be,  hear  on't 
some  day."  They  fulfilled  their  promise,  and  by 
that  magic  and  mysterious  telegraph  always  used 
by  slaves  a.id  Indians,  the  news  went  faster  than 


If 


284 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


the  mail  could  have  carried  it.  And  while  Weza, 
the  crisis  being  over,  was  slowly  recovering  under 
old  mammy's  skilful  nursing,  her  friends,  in  a  far- 
oflF  camp,  were  singing  funeral  hymns  in  honor  of 
her  memory,  and  consoling  themselves  with  the 
thought  that  she  had  at  last  got  out  of  the  wilder- 
ness. 


H 


-%if 


'.'«* 


'>__j 


.     ■.^.•^.    ,^-.-^....^...   «ii-.i»l>i>i.l     .r^ik.ii. 


■  ^^-..L....^...^^...^..^.*..^  .. 


while  Weza, 
)vering  wnder 
nds,  in  a  far- 
B  in  Vionor  of 
Ives  with  the 
of  the  wilder- 


CHAPTER  XXn. 


A  JOYFUL  SUBPB18] 


■';*; 


ON  Weza's  recovery  from  her  long  sickness  she 
parted  virith  Cleo  and  the  other  matrons  at  the 
Colonel's  place,  and  set  off  for  the  city,  hopiug  to 
find  labor  whereby  she  might  support  herself  and 
repay  in  some  degree  the  kindness  of  her  poor 
friends. 

She  felt  almost  alone  in  the  world  now.  Once 
and  once  only  had  Mrs.  Huggins  been  to  see  her, 
and  then  she  only  worried  lier  by  complaints  of 
"  the  people  at  Davidson's,"  who  seemed  to  think 
she  was  nobody,  and  told  her  to  wait  on  herself,  • 
and  even  called  her  iazy.  She  cried,  and  wrung 
her  hands,  and  said  she  wished  they  were  all  back 
to  the  mansion  house  in  their  "  old  splindor."  She 
expressed  fear  lest  some  of  the  Yankee  officers  — 
"  ginerals  or  sich  like"— might  take  possession  of 
the  mansion  house  and  use  up  her  furniture  <'  arter 
this  contemptible  war  was  over,  and  they  got  dia- 

886 


«^i>i^tiiB»«iiiriij»lljiiili(>IB^)|)lljjjgj(ll^^ 


; 


:   'y 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


bandaHCfl."  She  pronounced  war  the  meanest 
kind  o'  trickery  going;  it  had  used  up  all  their 
furniture,  and  clothes,  and  hosaes,  and  ,  mules, 
and  stole  oflF  their  slaves,  and  given  them  nothing 
in  return  for  it.  War  had  promised  them  a  new 
country  of  their  own  and  as  many  slaves  as  they 
wanted,  so  that  they  wouldn't  have  to  get  out  of 
their  "  cheers ;  "  but  instead  of  that  it  had  stripped 
them  as  clean  as  bean-poles,  and  left  them  where 
they  had  to  get  up  for  every  thing  they  wanted, 
and  even  to  go  down  stairs  to  their  meals  •,  and 
stairs  were  awful  things  for  people  with  weak 
jints.  She  thought  all  the  Yankees  ought  to  be 
hung  for  meddlin'  with  what  didn't  belong  to 
them,  upsettin'  "  our  war,"  and  makin'  it  do  just 
contrary  to  what  it  ought  to  ha^e  done.  "If 
they'd  only  minded  their  own  business  and  stayed 
at  home,"  she  said,  "  this  would  have  been  the 
beautifulest  war  in  all  the  history  book,  it  would." 
As  she  waxed  warm  she  began  to  gasp  and 
tremble,  and  finally,  before  the  women  could  get 
her  away,  she  "  went  off  into  a  powerful  bad 
hysteric."  Cleo  was  just  the  doctor  for  her.  Shfe 
ordered  her  to  be  taken  out  and  stretched  on  the 
kitchen  floor,  and  when  there  liad  two  pails  of 
cold  water  dashed  violently  over  her.  This  was  a 
potent  appeal.    She  at  once  became  conscious,  and 


I  .>  .  ,     .-,1.1..^    ;..■   •;n-.:.:  ,.o...i;:    ..;■..,«-.  ^^ .-    .;.    ,.^>Ji.j.^.J,.  ■.■,..;JVA,.iMy»«^.,..il'Jfc 


A  JOYFUL  SURPRISE. 


287 


ha  meanest 
up  all  their 
and  ^mulea, 
hem  nothing 
them  a  new 
aves  as  they 

0  get  out  of 

,  had  stripped 
t,  them  where 
they  wanted, 
r  meals ',  and 
le  with  weak 
8  ought  to  be 
n't  belong    to 
kin'  it  do  just 
re  done.    "If 
ess  and  stayed 
have  been  the 
»ook,  it  would." 
a  to  gasp  and 
)men  could  get 

1  powerful  bad 
)r  for  her.  Sh^e 
stretched  on  the 
id  two  pails  of 
ler.  This  was  a 
le  conscious,  and 


springing  to  her  feet,  cried,"  Call  that  arc  Bob  to 
take  me  back  to  th«m  are  hateful  Yankees  afore  I 
go  off  agin,"  Rhe  never  carae  where  Mammy  Cleo 
was  to  practise  her  antics  after  that.  ^ 

Aunt  Sally,  of  St.  Cyprian  Street,*  to  whom 
Zack  dlrpjiod  the  minister  at  the  opening  of  our 
story,  !iad  long  been  the  queen  of  gossips,  and 
now  her  very  errors  of  the  past  made  her  a  valua- 
ble persoh  in  the  community.  The  blacks  were 
running  hither  and  thither  looking  for  the  friends 
they  had  lost,  that  they  might  gather  them 
together  and  make  off"  to  places  of  safety,  having 
an  undefined  dread  of  being  again  enslaved.  Many 
of  them  thought  Mr.  Lincoln  had  been  assassinated 
for  the  express  purpose  of  forging  again  the  fetters 
which  he  had  broken.  Aunt  Sally  virtually  kept 
an  inteUigence  office  —  in  this  emergency  —  in 
connection  with  cakes  and  beer,  which  she  gave 
"  to  any  U.  S.  boy  dat  was  hungry,"  but  sold  at 
exorbitant  prices  to  other  folks. 

To  Aunt  Sally's  shop  Weza  made  her  way,  and 
there  learned  that  the  Colonel's  women  were  doing 
well,  and  would  be  "  moughty  glad  to  'ceive  her 
back  from  de  grave  agin."  With  these  poor  toil- 
ing women  she  found  a  home  and  a  warm  wel- 
come. They  had  provided  for  themselves  and  a 
good-sized  family  of  aged  women  and   little  ones 


:-\i 


i 


288 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


nil 


!'i 


"up  liver,"  besides  lending  a  helping  hand  to 
Btrangers  in  want,  and  yet  they  had  enough  and  to 
spare.  They  assigned  to  Weza  a  little  loft  in  their 
old  house  iivthe  suburbs  of  the  city,  and  with  the 
same  tenderness  they  had  manifested  towards  her 
in  times  past,  they  gave  her  the  easiest  portion  of 
their  work,  and  set  off  to  find  more  for  tiiemselves. 
Peace  was  at  length  proclaimed.  The  soldiers, 
coming  home  with  honorable  discharges,  and  in 
many  cases  with  well  filled  wallets,  carried  them- 
selves like  men,  and  took  their  places  as  heads  of 
their  own  families  with  pride  they  could  not  con- 
ceal. 

One  day  after  the  army  had  been  disbanded  and 
the  cities  and  towns  were  full  of  soldiers  looking 
for  peaceful  work,  little  Bob,  who  had  been  brought 
down  from  the  plantation  to  run  of  errands  for 
the  women,  came  in  all  aglow  with  excitement. 
Weza  was  bending  over  her  table  ironing  a  fine 
garment,  when  he  grasped  her  arm  and  cried,  "  0, 
Aunty  Weza,  I's  seen  Zack  for  sure."        ;       ,.- 

"  No,  honey,"  replied,  the  little  woman,  "  Zack's 
whar  yer  poor  eyes  can't  see  him.  Zack's  wid  de 
dear  Father  up  yonder,  chile." 

"  No,  Aunty,  1  seed  Zack  wid  my  two  eyes  a 
wheelin'  a  barrow  o'  sand  whar  dey's  mendin'  de 


••"—"'——— 


■  » 


IHiifiWiyaj 


"'wmfmigm 


A  JOYFUL  SURPniSE. 


289 


ping  hand  to 
Miough  and  to 
le  loft  in  their 
and  with  the 
d  towards  her 
ieat  portion  of 
for  themselves. 
The  soldiers, 
larges,  and  in 
carried  them- 
es as  heads  of 
could  not  con- 
disbanded  and 
loldiers  looking 
id  been  brought 
of  errands  for 
ith  excitement, 
ironing  a  fine 
I  and  cried,  "  0, 

(foman,  "  Zack's 
Zack's  wid  de 

my  two  eyes  a 
ley's  mendin'  de 


roads  down  'long  by  de  wharves.    Sure's  I's  'live, 
I  see  Zack." 

"  Honey,  yer  was  so  little  when  Zack  went  away 
yer  wouldn't  know  him  now  if  yer  did  see  him. 
Did  yer  speak  to  de  man  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  said,  '  Aunty's  to  iny  house  and  she 
wants  to  see  yer  ; '  and  ho  said  '  Go  long,  child.  I 
don't  want  nothin'  to  do  wid  no  aunties  in  dig 
world ;  all  de  auntie  ever  I  cared  particular  'bout's 
in  heaven,  and  iJymeby  I'm  goin'  dere  to  see  her, 
Lord  willin'. '  " 

"Course  den  it  wasn't  Zack,"  replied  Weza. 
"  He'd  a  flew  to  see  me." 

"  It  was  Zack;  go  down  dar  and  see  if  it  isn't," 
replied  the  boy.  "  Dere's  'bout  forty  thousand 
men  dere  dat's  been  let  out  of  de  army  mendin' 
de land." 

"  Den  I's  sure  I  shan't  go  'mong  sich  a  heap  for 
to  hunt  up  a  dead  man,  dearie,"  replied  Weza, 
turning  again  to  her  fire  for  a  hot  iron. 

And  yet  she  resolved  to  go.  It  would  "do  no 
harm  to  look  on  the  returned  veterans,  she 
thought.  It  might  be  that  some  one  among  them 
had  known  Zack  and  could  tell  her  how  he  died. 

So,  without  saying  a  word  to  her  friends,  she 
dressed  lusrself  in  her  best  black  suit  after  dinner 
and  set  off  ia  the  direction  the  boy  had  pointed^ 


.-, 


•jf^f-frifPfrii-iiTilii''' 


m 


■« 


;  'i 


I  ^i 


290 


OUT  OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 


out.  Ilaving  reached  the  place,  8h(f  aaked  a  man 
she  met  if  he  had  been  in  the  army. 

"  Yes,  and  for  dat  matter  one  in  every  two  'long 
dis  line  o'  work  has  been  Uncle  Sam's  man,"  he 
said. 

"  Can  yer  tell  me  if  any  of  dera  was  in  de  First 
Rigiment  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  stranger.  "  The  furtherest 
off"  gang  of  all  dat  ye  can  just  see,  way  ofl'  dere  — 
[See  ?  Dem  beyond  dc  high  ships.  It's  a  powerful 
step  off,  and  rough  goin'  over  de  stones  and  sand, 
but  if  yer  a  soger's  wiio  yer'll  get  there." 

So  she  stepped  over  long  rows  of  obstructions 
here  and  there  till  she  saw  a  man  of  the  gang 
alluded  to,  coming  towards  her  wheeling  sand. 
When  she  got  near  enough  she  asked  him,  without 
looking  up,  "  Please,  will  yer  tell  me  if  any  of  dese 
men  was  in  de  First  Rigiment  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  man,  in  a  terribly  gruff  voice, 
"  I  was  in  dat  same  myself.    Why  ? ." 

Still  she  didn't  look  up,  but  with  tears  Ih  her 
'eyes  and  in  tremulous  tones  she  asked,  "  Please, 
did  yer  know  Zack  Cameron,  dat  fell  in  de  battle 
of ." 

"  Yes,"  roared  the  great  man,  in  tones  that 
actually  shook  poor  Weza,  "  I  knowed  him  better'n 
ever  yer  did." 


f  asked  a  man 

3very  two  'long 
im's  man,"  l»e 

was  in  de  First 

The  furtherest 
way  oft'  dere  — 

it's  a  powerful 
tones  and  sand, 
there." 

1  of  obstructions 
an  of  the  gang 

wheeling  sand, 
ced  him,  without 
ne  if  any  of  dese 

rribly  gruff  voice, 

rith  tears  in  her 
I  asked,  "Please, 
,t  fell  in  de  battle 

in,  in  tones  that 
lowed  him  better'n 


A  JOYFUL  SURPRISE. 


291 


She  ventured  to  look  up  and  then  gave  a  scream 
of  joy.     It  Fas  Zack  before  lier,  but  so  changed 
that  she  could  scarcely  believe  her  senses.    Ho 
had  gained  forty  pounds,  "  thanks  to  Unclt.  Sam's 
pork  and  beans,"  he  said.    He  laughed,  and  she 
cried.    He  made  her  take  a  seat  in  the  sand  on 
the  barrow,  and  standing  before  her,  he  folded  his 
arms,  looked  at  her  admiringly,  and  said,  in  his 
own  naturart^ne,  "  Why,  little  brown  woman,  ycr 
a  heap  younger  and  handsomer  dan  yer  was  when 
I  left  yer ; "  and  then  he  laughed  again  long  and 
loud.    "Now,  look  here,  I  heard  yer  was  dead 
of  a  fever.    When  I  was  shot  down  for  dead  I  was 
left  on  de  field,  but  de  Lord  wasn't  done  wid  me 
yet.    I  come  to  and  was  picked  up  and  carried  ,ff 
to  a  hospital,  where  I  lay  pretty  used  up  for  a  long 
time.    I'd  got  scattered  from  my  rigiment,  and 
dey  offered  to  let  me  quit  and  go  home.    But  dis 
isn't  de  boy  to  run  when  dere's  work  to  be  done, 
and  home  'wasn't  nothin'  to  me  if  yer  wasn't  in 
it.    So  I  got  'listed   ..long  strangers  and  couldn't 
hear  a  word  from  our  folks.    When  I  come  to  dis 
city  I  went  three  times  to  Aunt  Sally's  to  hear  did 
she  know  'bout  any  o'  my  other  friends,  for  I  was 
sure  yer  had  got  through  de  wild'ness  now.    Her 
door  was  locked,  and  I  couldn't  find  nobody.    I 
could  have  dis  yere  job  if  I'd  take  right  hold,  so  I 


n 


i 


:-m 


:^;i 
'■''i 


-  ftnvkmiitikiii.i'S  1.1.' 


■riM..iniii.«h'<iihifir'irfiiini'.»>r'fn 


»jt"'ri.ii'"iu("J#f,. 


•,^lw'-,,i"-i!»r*"J'!WMWyi"*«'^MKiki  «M\MWJMi!._P)<tiiW<5«T)W5l?I!^|i.lluJ,,JM.^W^ 


■      292 


OUT  OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 


I 


i' 


did,  and  thought  de  first  day  or  two  I  could  get 
I'd  go  up  to  de  old  place  and  soc  if  dcie  was  any 
life  left  dere  now.  Thank  de  Lord  ye's  live  to 
comfort  me  and  to  help  me  on  to  glory,"  he  cried. 
"  Dis  yere  is  a  blessin'  I  didn't  dare  to  ax  for." 

Weza  readied  forward  and  touched  his  hand  as 
if  to  make  sure  he  was  really  flesh  and  blood,  and 
then  she  said,  amid  her  sobs,  "  Zack,  I'll  never  let 
yer  out  o'  sight  agin  long  as  I  li^es,  imt  ye'll  melt 
off  agin ! " 

"  Ay,  ay !  Dat's  it,  ha  ?  Well,  den,  I  hopes 
yer's  lamed  a  lesson  to  'bey  de  man  dat  de  Lord's 
made  head  on  yer.  If  yer'd  a  done  as  I  said, 
yer'd  a  been  in  a  little  home  down  here  and  I'd  a 
knowed  whar  to  find  yer.  But  yer  loved  Massa 
and  Missus  Huggins  best,  and  yer've  had  it  out 
wid  dem,"  and  Zack  looked  in  her  face,  laughing 
heartily  at  her  confusion. 

"  No,  Zack,  I  loved  yer  best,  but  dey  was  poor, 
helpless  creatur's,  and  I  felt  dat  de  Lorfl  had  sort 
o'  laid  'em  on  my  shoulders,"  replied  Weza. 

"  A  mighty  tough  and  ugly  load  dey  was,  little 
woman ;  but  if  yer  carried  'em  for  conscience's 
sake  de  Lord  will  reward  yer ;  and  he  has  done  it. 
He  has  sent  me  back,  and  if  he'll  help  me  I'll 
make  yer  as  happy  as  a  queen,  so's  yer  needn't 
invy  nobody  on  dis  arth." 


*—  '--■'-■-'""'  ^l'lr'*^al 


Llf\^^tw^  i..^   ^liltiH.  I   r«. 


A  JOYFUL  SURPRISE. 


293 


I  could  get 
ere  was  any 
ye's  live  to 
^,"  he  cried. 
»  ax  for." 
I  his  hand  as 
id  blood,  and 
I'll  never  let 
Sk  ye'll  melt 

den,  I  liopes 
dat  de  Lord's 
ne  as  I  said, 
iiere  and  I'd  a 
•  loved  Massa 
've  had  it  out 
face,  laughing 

dey  was  poor, 
I  Lorfl  had  sort 
d  Weza. 

dey  was,  little 
"or  conscience's 
he  has  done  it. 
'U  help  me  I'll 
lo's  yer  needn't 


While  the  happy  creatures  were  talking  over 
their  future  hopes  which  had  had  sucli  a  glorious 
resurrection,  "  the  boss  of  the  job"  came  along  — 
a  good-natured  man  genei-ally,  but  just  then  tried 
and  vexed  with  several  eye-servants  under  his 
care. 

"  Here,  Zack,"  he  cried,  "  who's  this  woman 
hindering  your  work  ?  " 

Then  Zack,  with  a  low  bow,  told  him  the  story 
of  their  long  and  painful  separation  and  their  sur- 
prise in  meeting  here.  "  ^ 

"  Oh,  well,  Zack,  if  that's  so,  take  as  much  time 
as  you  please  to  talk  Your  a  faithful  fellow  and 
I'll  give  you  the  afternoon  to  yourself.  You'll 
want  to  hunt  up  a  little  home  and  buy  somo 
things  to  put  in  it.  You  may  go  now  for  the 
day." 

"  Thank  yer,  massa,  but  I'd  rather  finish  my 
day's  wo'-k.  If  I've  stood  bein'  seperated  from  her 
for  years,  I  reckons  I  can  stand  it  till  sundown  !  " 
cried  Zafck,  laughing. 

Weza  would  not  leave  him,  and  all  the  afternoon 
she  walked  up  and  down  the  long,  sandy  path  be- 
side him  and  the  wheelbarrow,  telling  the  tale  of 
the  past  sad  years.  But  over  all  her  sorrows  she 
extolled  the  mercy  of  God  which  had  upheld  her, 
and  brought  her  at  last  so  nearly  out  of  the  wilder- 


294 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


h' 


ucss.  "  Now,"  she  said,  "  I've  just  only  one  paorp 
thing  left  dat  I  can  ax  of  de  Lord,  dat  ho  would 
send  me  my  boys." 

"  Well,  don't  begin  to  fret  at  him,  den.  I  always 
tell  yer  I  believe  when  you  quit  teasin'  of  him  and 
gives  'em  up  like  Abraham  give  up  Isaac,  dat  yer'l' 
either  see  'em  or  hear  dat  dey's  gone  on  afor'^,  and 
is  waitin'  yer  in  glory." 

The  simple-hearted  pair  found  a  little  home,  and 
there  they  gathered  their  friends  about  them  for  a 
humble  feast  in  h vnor  of  the  joyous  reunion.  A 
happier  pair  never  took  possession  of  their  first 
home  together. 

Zack  wrought  faithfully  till  his  engagement  was 
ended,  and  then  while  looking  about  for  new  em- 
ployment, fell  in  with  the  gentleman  who  after 
wards  brought  him  and  Weza  to  the  North.  The 
very  word  "  North "  pictured  to  their  innocent 
minds  paradise  peopled  with  substantial  angels ; 
apd  they,  like  two  children,  seized  on  the  first  op- 
portunity to  visit  and  behold  its  glories.    • 

And  now  they  were  in  New  England  working 
cheerfully  and  acknowledging  "  de  good  hand  of  d 
dear  Fatiier"  in  all  their  mercies.  Zack  worked 
about  the  gentleman's  place,  so  Weza  could  see  him 
.  at  any  hour  by  looking  from  one  window  <ft  anoth- 
er of  the  kitchen.    When  the  day's  toil  was  over, 


mMttgamtmrntatmi 


A   JOYFUL  SURPRISE. 


295 


ly  one  saore 
t  lie  would 

a.  I  always 

of  him  and 

ac,  dat  yer'l' 

)n  afor«^,  and 

le  home,  and 

it  them  for  a 

reunion.    A. 

jf  their  first 

ragement  was 
,t  for  new  em- 
an  who  after 
3  North.    The 
their  innocent 
tantial  angels; 
)n  the  first  op- 
•ies.   • 

igland  working 
jood  hand  of  d 

Zack  worked 
za  could  see  him 
rindow  *  anoth- 
8  toil  was  over, 


he  usually  went  info  town  to  the  post  office,  and  to 
bring  home  what  was  needed  from  the  store,  and 
she  always  accompanied  him,  rain  o;*  shine.  She 
was  as  good  as  her  word,  never  letting  him  out  of 
her  sight  for  a  moment  when  she  could  help  it ;  so 
that  Zack  was  justified  in  saying,  pa  he  did,  proud- 
ly, "  If  I  sets  of  to  get  a  jug  o'  kai'sine  ile,  in  a 
minute  I  hear  steps  and  looks  round,  and  dar  is  she 
close  to  my  lieels.  She's  bound  never  to  lose  me 
agin,  the  poor  weak  woman !  " 

The  happy  creatures  got  on  well  and  earned 
large  wages  till  the  snow  began  to  fall  and  the 
wild  winds  to  whistle  round  the  lar^e,  lonely  house 
where  they  lived.  Then  they  grew  homesick,  and 
as  work  out  of  doors  was  not  pressing,  Zack  had 
plenty  of  time  fo  sit  within  and  talk  with  Weza 
about  -their  old  friends  and  home.  They  drew 
bright  pictures  of  the  Colonel'  i  mansion  house 
with  the  iamily  gathered  there,  and  of  the  kitchen 
where  they  imagined  the  same  group  was  bustling 
about,  or  telling  tales  and  singing  psalms  aroulid 
the  blazing  hearth. 

One  night  they  had  gone  to  an  evening  meeting 
at  the  village,  about  a  mile  away,  when  a  wild 
north-east  storm  came  on.  As  they  set  out  for 
home  tlie  wind  was  blowing  a  perfect  hurricane, 
and  the  flying  sleet  blindea  them  so  tlrat  they 


jirljitiliii)  a  niij^i 


:ii";i'nwiki^iiiiiiiiijtl<lw'^.^i>iftJM-v*^^^ 


296 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


could  scarcely  sec  their  way.  It  seemed  to  them 
as  if  all  the  spirits  of  evil  were  let  loose  that 
night  and  were  howling  around  them.  They  had 
never  heard  the  like  of  it  before. 

"  Who's  dat  screamin'  ?  "  cried  Weza,  pressing 
closer  to  the  side  of  her  strong  protector. 

"  I  reckons  dat's  de  wind  'mong  de  branches," 
replied  Zack,  "  but  it  sounds  powerful  sad." 

"  No,  Zack."  cried  the  kind  little  woman.  "  I's 
sartin'  it's  some  unlucky  creatur'  dat  aint  got  no 
husband.  She's  out  alone,  and  is  'feared  and 
bewildered  like.  Oli,  oughtn't  I  to  be  a  thankful 
woman  dat's  got  yer  to  lean  agin  ?  Go,  Zack,  and 
find  who's  cryin'  for  help,  anu  ^'11  stan'  here  wid 
my  back  agin  de  wind  till  yer  come." 

Zack  listened  for  a  moment  with  his  hand  up  to 
his  ear.  When  one  wail  died  away  and  another 
began,  he  turned  about  and  tried  to  decide  whence 
it  came.  And  at  length  he  said.  "  I's  sure  dat's 
de  voice  o'  no  livin'  creatur'  'case  it's  in  half  a 
dozen  places  to  one  time,  and  dat  isn't  human 
natur'.  It's  de  wind  cryin'  'case  he  can't  tear  de 
world  down,  I  reckons,  but  thank  de  Lord,  de 
foundations  was  laid  strong  so  dat  neither  Avinds 
nor  floods  can  upset  things  agin  his  will.  Oh, 
Weza,  chile,  it's  a  lovely  tiling  to  feel  dat  do  Lord 
we  loves,  and  dat  calls  hissclf  our  Father,  holds  de 


A   JOYFUL  smiPRISE. 


297 


aed  to  them 
:  loose  that 
.    They  had 

eza,  pressing 
tor. 

,e  branches," 
sad." 

roman.  "  I's 
\t  aint  got  no 
I  'feared  and 
be  a  thankful 
Go,  Zack,  and 
stan'  here  wid 
> 

his  hand  up  to 

y  and  another 

decide  whence 

'  I's  sure  dat's 

it's  in  half  a 
it  isn't  human 
lie  can't  tear  de 
k  de  Lord,  de 
b  neither  winds 

his  will.  Oh, 
feel  dat  do  Lord 
Father,  holds  de 


winds  and  de  waves  in  his  hand  ;  dat  dey  is  his 
8ar\-aiit8,  and  roars  and  dashes  only  wlicn  he  bids 
'em.  Let's  be  thankful,  chile,  dat  our  God  can 
shake  de  arth  when  lie's  a  mind  to,  and  cah  make 
it  lie  still  without  speakin'  a  word  or  liftin'  his 
hand.  Let's  Imrry  home  now;  dere's  no  'poor 
creatur'  widout  a  husband'  out  in  de  storm 
to-night."  And  he  smiled  with  pride  to  think 
bow  important  a  character  he  was  to  the  life  and 
happiness  of  the  frail  little  creature  at  his  side. 
It  makes  any  man  liappy  to  feel  that  great  inter- 
ests are  depending  on  liini. 

When  they  were  safely  in  the  kitchen  Weza 
said,  imploringly,  to  Zack,  "  Please  take  me  home 
agin.  Dis  yere  North  is  too  cold  and  wild  for  me. 
I  hasn't  been  warm  to  de  heart  in  three  months, 
and  'sides  dat  I's  Iiomesick  for  to  see  Mammy  Cleo 
and  de  other  women." 

"  Aint  yer  homesick  to  see  Missus  Huggins  and 
wait  on  her  a  little  more  ?"  asked  Zack,  jocosely. 
"  I's  feared  if  I  take  yer  down  dere  yer'll  quit  me 
and  go  to  plowin'  wid  Huggins  for  yer  mule,  or 
makin'  coats  and  gowns  out  o'  blankets  and  sicli 
like  for  dem." 

"  No,  Zack,  I'll  never  leave  yer  sure.  But  I 
tell.i  yer  dai  I'll  never  get  quit  of  dis  cold  in  de 
heart  while  I  lives  to  de  North.  Will  yer  .go  to 
save  me  a  dyin'  ? "  • 


298 


OOT  OP  THE  ^V1LDEBNESS. 


"  Yes,  honey,  I'll  iake  ycr  back.  Home's  de 
best  place  arter  all ;  and  yer  own  folks,  no  matter 
how  black  dcy  be,  is  de  best  folks  for  yer.  I's 
been  a  tarnin'  dis  yere  over  in  my  mind,  and  I's 
got  a  plan  for  bein'  a  planter  and  livin'  in  a  man- 
sion house  myself  as  well  as  Hoggins,"  replied 
Zack,  with  a  smile.  "  I  didn't  tell  yer  on't,  fear 
yer'd  be  onpatient  and  bother  me  'fore  I  got  my 
money  and  was  ready  for  to  start.  I  don't  like  de 
cold  no  better'n^  yer  does.  It  scourges  me  all  up, 
and  is  de  first  thing  in  dis  arth  dat  ever  made  me 
feel  lazy.  I  hates  to  ;et  up  in  de  mornin',  and  I 
hates  to  go  out  in  do  snow.  But  I  won't  yield  up 
to  it,  else  I'd  soon  be  a  great  goose  'stead  of  a 
man." 

The  lady  of  the  house  where  they  lived  was  an 
invalid,  and  did  not  like  the  cold  any  better  than 
her  poor  little  cook  did. 

One  day  after  this  long,  wild  storm  was  over, 
Zack's  em'-loyer  called  him  into  the  library  on 
Sunday  evening,  and  said,  "Well,  ray  good  fellow, 
I  believe  7  e  proved  you  one  of  a  thousand  for 
faithfulness.  I  *m  going  South  with  my  wife  for 
her  health,  and  shall  leave  you  and  Weza  in 
charge  of  every  thing  here." 

"  I's  proud  of  ycr  trust,  sir,"  said  Zack,  "  but 
1  couldn't  take  it,  no  how.    I  was  goin'  to  tell  yer 


A    JOYFUL  8UBPBISE. 


299 


Home's  de 
ks,  no  matter 

for  yer.    !'» 
mind,  and  I's 
rin'  inaman- 
;gin8,"  replied 
[  yer  on't,  fear 
fore  1  got  my 
I  don't  liVe  de 
rgcs  me  all  up, 
t  ever  made  me 

mornm',andI 
[  won't  yield  up 
oose  'stead  of  a 

hey  lived  was  an 
any  better  than 

Btorm  was  over, 
to  the  library  on 
Ll,  my  good  fellow, 
of  a  thousand  for 
,  with  my  wife  for 
you  and  Weza  in 

"  said  Zack,  "but 
|,as  goin'  to  tell  yer 


to-morrow  dat  I  was  goin'  South  for  my  wife's 
health.     Dis  yore  east  wind's  a  killin'  of  her." 

"  Zack,"  said  the  gentleman,  "  my  wife's  very 
precious  to  me." 

"  She  can't  be  no  preciouser  to  yer  den  mine  is 
to  me,  sir,  — axin'  yer  pardon,"  rephed  Zack. 
"  'Sides  dis,  I's  got  plans  for  takin'  a  plantation 
on  <  sheres,'  wharby  I'll  do  more  dcii  make  a  bare 
livin'  by  my  hard  work.  Ye  see,  sir,  since  I's 
been  sot  free  I's  had  ambitions  I  never  thought  ou 
afore.  I  wants  to  own  a  place  and  to  lay  up  a 
little  for  my  wife  if  she  should  be  left  behind  me 
in  the  wild'ness.  So,  sir,  vvcU  as  I  like  yer  sar- 
vice,  I  shall  have  to  give  it  up  to  take  keer  on  my 
wife.     Dat's  my  first  duty,  isn't  it,  sir  ?  " 

In  ten  days  Zack  and  Weza,  finely  arrayed  in 
gay  and  comfortable  clothing,  \<  ere  on  their  jom-- 
ncy  southward,  as  light  of  heart  as  any  two  black- 
birds that  ever  sought  a  warmer  clime. 


'ifefj  'Ji'  ■s^^i,;'*i5_^'ig;ij,  ,•     -i^lii.,^'^  ■•'  :K^\'  '     ^■,.,.-    {..^'^ 


"^JKit" 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


GATHERING     AT     HOME. 


ONE  evening,  several  months  after  the  time  when 
we  introduced  Zack  and  Weza  to  .the  reader, 
tliey  were  seated  once  more  at  the  humlf.c  board 
of  Chrissy,  the  matron  who  had  sholtercd  Weza, 
and  through  whose  little  l)oy  she  and  Zack  had 
met  again,  after  their  long  and  hopeless  separation. 
When  the  first  joyful  greetings  were  over,  Zack 
brought  out  a  leather-cloth  bag,  which  he  had 
bought  in  "  Bosting,  where  he  had  taken  the  cars 
for  home  wid  a  powerful  achin'  to  be  warm  once 
agin  in  dis  life,"  and  opened  it  with  a  key  which 
hung  from  his  neck  by  a  shoestring,  —  tags  and 
all.  "  Here,  Chrissy,"  he  said,  holding  up  a  gay, 
clieap  shawl,  "  dis  is  a  token  of  my  love  and  grati- 
tude to  yer.  Yer  may  well  be  proud  on't,  for  yer 
can  now  hold  up  yer  head  afore  de  'sembled  uni- 
varsc,  sayin',*  "  Dis  yerc  shawl  come  from  Bosting, 
dat  holy  city  whar  de  inhabitants  dereof  fit  agin 


e  time  when 
the  reader, 
irn'^.o  board 
Ucred  Weza, 
id  Zack  had 
18  separation, 
re  over,  Zack 
Inch  he  had 
iken  the  cars 
B  warm  once 
li  a  key  which 
r,  —  tags  and 
ling  up  a  gay, 
lOve  and  grati- 
d  on't,  for  yer 
'sembled  uni- 
I  from  Bosting, 
dereof  fit  agin 


OATHERINO   AT   HOME. 


301 


de  'pression  o'  our  people  ;  dat  city  which   gin  us 

de  victim  of  Fort  Wagner,  whose  blood  cried  from 

de  ground  till  de  Lord  'vcnged  him  and  us  of  our 

•adversary.     I  tells  yer,   Chrissy   Leon,  'taint  no 

small  hono     for  a  poor  weak   woman  to   wear  a 

shawl  dat  come  from  dat  glorious  city !     When  I 

walk  'bout  dem  streets  holdin'  Weza  by  de  hand 

fear  I  lose  her,  'pcarod  like  I  heerd  a  voice  sayin', 

—  'Take  off  yer  shoes,  for  de  place  whereon  yer 

stood  is  holy  ground.'     I  'membered  how  he  loved 

liberty,  and  how  he  pitied  us,  and  how  when  he 

fell,  dey  buried  him  wid  his  men  ;  and  as  I  stood 

'fore  de  window  of  a  great  pictur'  shop,  a  'musin' 

of  Weza,  de  tears  rolled  down  my  cheeks  and  I 

was  most  chokin'  wid  feelin's.    Says  she,  'What 

ails  yer,  Zack  ?     Yer  aint  sorry  yer  goin'  home,  be 

yer?'     'No,'   says  I,  'but  I'm  thinkin'  of  Fort 

Wagner,  where  I  fit  once,  and  of  him  dat  led  us 

dar ;  and  'pears  like  I  want  to  fall  down  on  my 

knees  and  kiss  every  stone  in  de  streets  of  dis  old 

city  for  what  she  lay  on  de  altar  o'  freedom  dere.' 

"And  now,"  he  added,  smiling  through  his 
tears,  "  here's  a  knife  from  de  holy  city  for  dis 
dear  boy,  dat  by  his  good  membry  brung  me  and 
Weza  together.  It's  got  four  blades,  and  a  gim- 
blet,  and  a  corkscrew,  and  a  screw  driver,  —  in 
'fact,  it's  a  small  carpenter's  shop  sot  into  a  handle. 


■!!',r'i'!f'';'''**w',t*'|^'''^j'jj'^.''-!' . 


^ 


302 


OUT  OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 


It  aint  to  be  carr'cd  'bout  in  do  pocket  every  day, 
but  only  wlicii  he's  dressed  up,  to  show  to  folks. 
I's  named  dis  yer  ku;."^  '  Bostinj?,'  in  honor  of 
freedom,  and  as  long  as  yer  live,  boy,  don't  yer  let, 
de  name  o'  dat  city  nor  de  word  '  Yankee '  be  light 
sjwken  afore  yer  presence.  Next  to  God  wc  owes 
every  thin'  to  de  Yankees,  and  I  does  hereby  pro- 
nounce and  declar'  dcm  de  nation  whose  God  is  de 
Lord." 

Then  he  gave  away  turban  handkerchiefs  and 
toys  to  the  other  members  of  the  little  family  say- 
ing, '  I's  rcsarved  a  new  gown  for  dear  old  Cleo, 
and  somethin'  for  de  rest  of  de  folks  dere.  To- 
morrow I  goes  up  river  to  see  'em,  and  yer,  Chris- 
sy,  must  go  wid  us  to  'zibit  dat  shawl,  and  see  if 
'taint  time  for  all  us  to  go  back,  for  yer  know  de 
Lovd  promised  dat  he  will  gather  up  do  solitary 
ones  into  families  agin." 

All  through  Zack's  speech  Weza  had  looked  very 
anxious  for  a  chance  to  put  in  a  word,  and  when 
he  stopped  for  breath,  she  said,  in  a  plaintive  tone, 
♦'  Chrissy,  dear,  yer  hasn't  heerd  nothin'  from  my 
boys,  has  ye  ?  Old  Sally  promised  to  spy  and  pry 
round  and  let  yer  know  if  she  got  any  news." 

"No  honey,"  replied  Chrissy,  "I  hasn't,  Yer 
better  gin  'cm  up  now  and  thank  dc  Lord  yer  got 
Zack.  See  how  many  poor  crctur's  has  lost  dere 
husbands,  and  how  many  never  had  none." 


ut  every  day, 
Ijow  to  folks, 
ia  honor  of 
don't  yer  let. 
ikee '  be  light 
God  we  owes 
IS  hereby  pro- 
lose  God  is  de 

kerchiefs  and 
tie  family  say- 
dear  old  Cleo, 
ks  dere.  Te- 
nd yer,  Chris- 
wl,  and  see  if 
r  yer  know  de 
up  de  solitary 

lad  looked  very 
ord,  and  when 
;  plaintive  tone, 
lOthift'  from  my 
to  spy  and  pry 
any  news." 
1  hasn't.    Yer 
Ic  Lord  yer  got 
8  has  lost  dere 
i  none." 


OATHERINO   AT   HOME. 


808 


"  But,"  replied  Weza,  with  tears  in  her  eyes, 
"  dc  Lord  say  if  we  ax  we  shall  receive,  and  if  we 
seek  we  shall  find.  Now  he  is  true,  and  1  have 
axed  and  sceked,  and  how  can  it  be  dat  I  shall 
never  find  *em  ?     Prayer  must  be  answered." 

"  Pho,  pho,  cluld,"  cried  Zack,  patronizingly, 
"  dat  'pends  on  what  yer  call  prayer.  I  don't  call 
nothin'  a  prayer  dat  haint  got  a  '  Dy  will  be  done  ' 
to  de  end  on't.  Yer  don't  know  but  de  Lord  has 
had  dem  boys  saved  up  in  glory  for  years  and 
years,  as  de  best  thing  he  can  do  for  yer ;  Lud  if 
so,  do  yer  think  he's  goin'  to  work  a  mericle  and 
send  'em  back  t  j  trudge  through  dis  yere  wild'nes  ■ 
just  to  let  yer  carry  de  day  ?     No,  sir." 

"  But,  Zack,  Fs  had  bad  spells  o'  bein'  bub- 
mittive  to  his  will,  yer  know,"  said  the  little 
woman. 

''  Moughty  short  ones,"  replied  Zack,  shaking 
his  head  ;  "  and  even  den  it  was, '  Dy  will  be  done 
if  I  can't  get  mine.'  I've  always  said,  when  yer 
gin  up  yer  will  ye'd  either  get  'em  back  or  be  cured 
o'  this  awful  hungerin'  and  thustin'  arter  'em." 

The  little  party  found  all  well  on  the  plantation. 
The  men  had  returned  with  money  enough  to  live 
on  till  they  could  raise  new  crops,  and  letters  had 
just  come  from  the  Colonel  to  have  all  things  in  or- 
der, as  he  should  return  home  in  the  spring.     Poor 


I 


S04 


OUT  OP  THE    WILDERNESS. 


old  Cleo  threw  open  the  parlors  with  real  pride, 
and  exclaimed,  "  Look  at  dat,  chiren.     I'm  Haved 
dis  from  de  war,  and  de  postclencc,  and  do  Hood, 
to  prove  how  we  loves  dis  family.     Nobody  knows 
how  I've  fit  aforo  I  kept  it  all.     I  can  fight  foes 
mighty   brave,  but  when  yer  has   to  lift  up  do 
sword  agin  yer  friends  dat's  a  fightin'  for  yer,  it's 
powerful  tough.     When  de  gray  coats  come  hero 
and  wanted  dem  carpets,  1  driv  'em  off  qui  k.     I 
told  'em  I'd  scald  de  fust  man  dat  put  fo^    in  do 
rooms,  and  such  like  talk.     Dey  scold  and   laugh, 
l>ilt  dey  always  clar  off.     But  when  dat  dear  little 
kftenny  in   blue,  dat  had  de   prayin'   mother  at  ' 
liomc —  when  he  eome  three  times  arter  'era,  I  tell 
yer  it  took  a  soger's  pluck  to  hold  on  to  'em.     De 
last  time  I  felt  so  dat  I  cried,  'case  1  got  nothin' 
else  to  give  him,  and  dat  touched  his  heart,  and  he 
say  to  his  men,  '  Lot  her  keep  dem,  poor  soul,  for 
she's  made  a  vow,'  and  den  I  give  'em  all  I  had  — 
corn-cake  and   milk  —  and    promised  to  pray  for 
dem  like  do  man  in  de  lions'  den  prayed  three 
times  every  day.     So  I's  got  do  beds,  and  do  parlor 
carpets,  and  furnitur'  all  ready  for  massa's  folks, 
and  a  i)romiso  from  de  Lord  dat  dey  and  us  shall 
live  in  dis  yere  land,  and  dat  verily  we  shall  be  fed. 
0'  course  ye'U  all  stick  to  de  Colonel,  for  I  can 
tell  yer,  slave  or  free,  yer'll  find  no  bettor  massa 
and  missus." 


.,jU-t^Miwi«ililMWI«iM6lMil^^ 


OATHEBINO   AT   HOME. 


305 


li  real  pride, 
n.  r«  saved 
ind  do  flood, 
Nobody  knows 
an  fight  foes 

0  lift  up  do 
i'  for  yer,  it's 
its  come  here 

1  off  qui  k.     I 
put  foci    in  do 
lid  and  laugh, 
dat  dear  little 
in'   mother  at 
rter  'em,  1  tell 
n  to  'em.     De 
I  1  got  nothin' 
i  heart,  and  he 
,  poor  soul,  for 
im  all  I  had  — 
jd  to  pray  for 
I  prayed  three 
I,  and  do  parlor 

massa's  follvB, 
ly  and  us  shall 
wc  shall  be  fed. 
onel,  for  I  can 
10  better  massa 


*'  I  hope  dom  dat  hires  out  at  all  will  stick  by, 
but  for  myself,"  repHed  Zack,  "  I  thinks  o'  hcttin' 
up  on  my  own  hook.  I'll  be  a  planter  and  live  in 
a  mansion  house,  like  old  Massa  and  Missus  Hug- 
gins,  dat  Weza's  so  homesick  arter  dat  she  comes 
up  river  to  hunt  'em  up."  And  he  and  the  others 
all  laughed  heartily;  for  Weza's  faithfulness  to 
those  to  whom  she  owed  so  little  had  passed  into  a 
family  joke  at  the  Colonel's. 

That  eveniifg,  when  the  happy  party  was  gath- 
ered  round  a   pine  knot  fire,  and   each   had  re- 
counted the  wonderful  events  which  had  occurred 
since  last  they  sat  there,  Zack  said,  "  I'd  like  for 
to  make  a  few  remarks,  brothers  and  sisters.     I's 
seen  a  powerful  sight  o'  the  world,  and  lamed  high 
wisdom  since  I  leflb  yer.     My  'pinion  is  dat  white 
folks  has  done  'bout  all  dey  can  do  for  us  now ;  we 
got  to  do   de   rest  ourselves.     We   aint  a  great 
heap  of  babies  dat's  got  to  be  trotted  and  fed  all 
our  lives.     I  goes  for  'construction.     I  think  we's 
got  a  heap  to  do  'fore  it's  brung  about.     If  any 
man  feels  it  in  him  let  him  hire  a  plantation  and 
get  hands  and  be  a  planter,  and  if  he  don't  Jet  him 
liire  out.     I's  'bout  made  up  my  mind  to  go  halves 
with    Huggins — dat   is,   work   de   plantation   on 
condition  dat  he'll  keep  out  o'  de  way,  and  Til  give 
him  half  I  makes  arter  de  place  is  picked  up  and 
put  in  runnin'  order."  -^ 


iiiiriiiii-iiiiinii*«tf''* 


306 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


-   S-   :■ 


^t- 


The  men  all  laughed,  and  one  saic,  "  Massa 
Davidson  and  de  Yankee  gentleman  will  pay  yer 
moughty  well  to  take  hira  out  of  de  way  dere. 
He's  got  so  powerful  lazy  now  dat  he  sits  down  and 
ci'ies  when  de  men  bothers  him,  which  dey  does 
'bout  all  do  time  ;  and  missus,  —  0,  my  stars,  yer 
ought  to  hear  how  de  Yankees  goes  on  'bout  her. 
Dey  never  see  such  like  afore.  Dey  sot  out  to 
make  her  take  keer  on  Huggins'  clothes  and  hern, 
and  every  time  dey  told  her  to  wasH  or  mend  she 
went  into  hysterica.  Tliey  don't  know  what  on 
arth  to  do  wid  'em.  Davidson  might  ha'  knowd 
better  dan  to  hire  him ;  for  a  man  dat  won't 
work  for  hisself  won't  woi'k  for  otlier  folks,  dat's 
sartin.     Is  yer  goin'  to  hire  him,  Zack  ?  " 

"  Yes,  hiie  him  to  keep  out  o'  my  way,"  replied 
Zac ' ,  laughing.  "  I'll  feed  him  and  old  missus  for 
de  use  o'  de  plantation,  and  I'll  sell  more  pine  off 
on't  in  a  year  den  he  ever  thought  was  ou't  !  -Got 
any  old  mule  or  other  live  creatur'  1  can  drive  over 
to  Massa  Davidson's  plantation  in  de  morning, 
boys  ?  " 

"  Yes,  got  three  bosses  and  two  mules  branded 
U.  F).,"  replied  one  of  the  men,  "  and  we've  put  all 
dc  wagons  and  such  like  in  order,  and  dey's  at  yer 
sni'vice." 

Zack  rode  over  to  "  Massa  "  Davidson's  the  next 


L 


^:^ .: t^^S^t    1.H|-|»    II.     .l>rT,  I 


OATHEraNG   AT   HOME. 


807 


saic,  "Massa 
m  will  pay  yer 

de  way  dere. 
3  sits  down  and 
v\\\c\\  dey  does 
),  my  stars,  yer 
cs  on  'bout  her. 
Dey  sot  out  to 
othcs  and  hern, 
sH  or  mend  she 

know  what  on 
light  ha'  knowd 

man  dat  won't 
)thcr  folks,  dat's 
Sack?" 

my  way,"  replied 
nd  old  missus  for 
.ell  more  pine  off 
it  was  ou't  1  -Got 
r'  1  can  drive  over 
I  in  de  morning, 

wo  mules  branded 
"  and  we've  put  all 
r,  anddey's  at  yer 

Oavidson's  the  next 


morning,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  forenoon  re- 
turned with  "  Alussa"  and  "  Missus"  Muggins,  both 
arrayed  in  cheap  working  clothes,  although  the 
latter,  clinging  to  the  ghost  of  her  former  glory, 
still  wore  the  gay  crape  shawl,  the  last  remnant  oi, 
her  grandeur.  Huggins  seemed  to  have  lost  what 
little  spirit  he  had  ever  possessed,  and  sat  still  in 
the  wagon  like  a  wooden  man  till  Zack  helped  him 
out.  When  he  and  "  missus  "  were  ushered  into 
the  house  they  both  began  to  cry.  Had  Huggins 
been  a  school  boy  instead  of  a  planter  who  owned 
a  "  mansion  house,"  we  should  say  he  blubbered ; 
as  it  was  he  wept.  "  Missus,"  after  laying  down 
carefully  her  Punch  pipe,  to  which  she  had  clung 
through  all  her  re^^erses,  began  to  twitch  her 
mouth  and  eyes  and  to  stiffen  out  her  limbs. 

Chrissy,"  cried  Cleo,  "see  if  de  two  pails  is 
full  of  right  cold  water."  This  hint  was  enough. 
Mrs.  Huggins,  remembering  her  former  drenching, 
did  not  care  to  submit  to  old  mdmmy's  treatment 
again,  so  she  changed  her  tactics,  and  catching 
AVeza's  hands  in  both  her  own,  began  t^  sob  and 
to  talk  at  the  same  time.  "  Oh,  how  glad  I  be  to 
see  yer,  yer  dear,  kind  little  Weza.  I've  been  the 
'Iniscdest  cretur'  in  the  world  since  I  see  yer. 
Yankees  is  awful.  They's  savages  and  tyrantses 
in  gineral,  mostly!     O-o-o!    The  Yankee  genT- 


h-)y.t,iaHi»» 


i 


808 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


man's  as  mean  as  a  nigger.  He  works  with  liIs 
own  liands,  he  docs,  —  a  plowin',  and  sowin',  and 
a  grcasin'  wheels,  and  every  thin' ;  and  his  missus, 
that's  right  handsome,  and  wears  a  gold  vatch, 
and  i>lays  tlic  music  when  she's  to  home  where  the 
music  is,  —  she  washes  dishes,  and  works  butter, 
and  cooks,  and,  — yes,  I  will  tell  on't,  I  don't  keer 
if  it's  the  ruin  of  her  riputation,  —  I  ketched  her 
once  to  the  washtub,  a  toachin'  the  black  folks  how 
to  wash  Yankee  fashion.  And  he,  Mr.  Green,  is 
so,  mean-spcrited  that  he  let  her  do  it,  he  did. 
And  oh,  they  'Imsed  mo  terrible ;  me,  that's  been 
the  wife  of  a  chevelry  and  lived  in  a  mansion 
house  so  many  years  ;  they  said  I  must  keep  Hug- 
gins  mended  up,  and  wash  and  iron  my  clothes 
and  hisn.  When  I  told  them  I  didii't  know  how, 
Missus  Green  said  —  awful  unfcelin'  —  'It's  time 
yor  did,  and  I'll  teach  yer.'  Then  I  went  off  in 
one  of  my  awfuUest  fits,  but  the  hard-hearted 
crcatuB'  went  out  of  the  room  as  ca'm  as  if  I  was 
i;nly  a  kitten  in  a  fit,  a  sayin',  '  When  yer  get 
through  with  what  yer  at  now,  Mrs.  Huggius,  I'll 
show  yer  how  to  wash,  and  to-morrow  I'll  teach 
yer  to  iron.  That  will  loosen  yer  jints,'  says  she, 
'  quickcr'n  any  leninient  yer  can  buy.'  O-oo !  how 
I've  been  worked  !  1  had  to  make  my  own  bed, 
and  get  out  o'   my  cheer  every  lime  I  wanted 


I  «nil  JT  i-JI CTinalHWiHi  -   ll'T 


ESS. 

works  with  liis 
and  sowiii',  and 

and  liis  missus, 
s  a  gold  \vatcli, 
home  where  the 
lid  works  butter, 
on't,  I  don't  keer 
—  I  ketched  her 
e  black  folks  how 
lie,  Mr.  Green,  is 
cr  do  it,  he  did. 
;  me,  that's  been 
cd  in   a  mansion 
1  must  keep  Hug- 
a  iron  my  clothes 
didii't  know  how, 
;elin'  _ '  It's  time 
'lien  I  went  off  in 

the  hard-hearted 
la  ca'm  as  if  I  was 
',  'When  yer  get 

Mrs.  Huggins,  I'll 
-morrow  I'll  teach 
rev  jints,'  says  she, 
1  buy.'  O-oo !  how 
make  my  own  bed, 
cry  time  I  wanted 


GATHERING  AT  HOME. 


309 


tobacco,  and,  O-oo!  I  had  to  sweep  my  room,  too. 
I  didn't  see  no  dirt,  and  wouldn't  been  afcarcd  on't 
if  I  hacl ;  but  she  sec  it.  Her  eyes  is  like  a  cat's 
in  the  dark,  and  she  made  me  sweep  it  just  to 
please  her !  I'm  most  dead,  Weza.  I  want  to  go 
back  to  the  mansion  house,  even  if  I  dies  nest  day. 
I'd  sooner  die'n  not.  It  would  be  a  moughty  sight 
easier  lyin'  still  in  the  grave  than  livin'  with  them 
oneasy  Yankees,  that's  forever  a  drivin'  themselves 
and  every  body  else,  —  it  would.  1  hate  Yankees, 
and  I'm  afeared  o'  em,  too.  Take  luc  home, 
0-00-00 ! " 

And  the  nervous  woman  clutched  Weza's  arms 
with  a  vigor  that  showed  her  bodily  powers  were 
not  failing.  "  0,  missus,"  said  Weza,  in  a  soft 
voice,  "  I's  sorry  yer  been  onhappy,  but  dis  yere's 
a  workin'  world.  I  has  to  work  myself,  and  I 
haint  got  no  power  to  keep  yer  from  it.  But 
Zack's  come  to  talk  with  massa  'bout  us  all  livin' 
home  on  de  plantation  together  agin ;  and  if  wo 
does  I'll " 

"  Hi,  hi !  Look  out  dere  how  yer  makes  prom- 
ises, yer  little  brown  woman,"  cried  Zack.  "  If 
we  ever  lives  on  dat  ar  plantation  it'll  be  on 
moughty  different  tarms  from  what  yer  lived  dere 
afore,  I  tell  yer.  I'll  bo  de  massa,  and  yer'll  be 
do  massa's  wife,  and  be  sarvant  o'  sarvauts  to  no- 


Ig     II    .M.H.   II    AiUil.  .1.ii..>.r1T,         ■.■.^..-..r,.,.....,-,.   .- .^-^..  ....■.,-.. -        .   .      .,  .--        U,-:      .,. 


310 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


body's  folks^  Yer've  had  it  tough  so  far,  but 
.hencefor'  yer'll  live  easy,  lookiii'  aitcr  your  work 
while  other  folks  does  It.  Don't  yer  go  'inakiu' 
any  rash  promises  dat  1  won't  let  yer  carry  out,  — 
mind." 

"O,  hoo!  hoo!  He  won't  let  her  go  back;" 
and  Mrs.  HuggiMs  began  to  shiver  and  twitch 
till  Cleo  got  up  and  looked  into  the  water-pails 
again. 

"  Keep  easy,  missus,"  cried  Zack,  "  while  I  talkg 
to  Massa  Huggins."  And  theu  Zack  kid  his  plan 
before  the  old  master,  offering  to  "  briu'^  the  run 
down  plantation  to  tarnas,"  and  then  to  hire  hands 
to  run  it,  either  doing  it  on  shares  or  giving  Hug- 
gins  and  his  wife  a  comfortable  home  up  stairs  out 
of  the  way,  as  long  as  they  lived. 

The  offer  was  like  that  of  liberty  to  a  captive  in 
irons ;  and  Huggins'  eye  kindled  and  his  voice  was 
choked  as  he  replied,  "  Fetch  me  a  pen !  I'll 
make  my  will  this  minute,  leavin'  the  plantation 
and  the  mansion  house  to  yer  and  Weza  for  takin' 
keer  on  us  and  savin'  us  from  work  while  we  lives. 
Don't  talk  about  no  '  sheres,'  for  then  I  might  feel 
a  keer  on  my  mind ;  but  yer  run  it  and  feed  and 
clothe  us  and  that's  all  we'll  ax  wjiile  we  lives. 
Wo  haint  got  no  livin'  creatur'  to  be  our  heirs." 

"Well,  but  yer  don't  want  Weza  to  make  yer 


\ 


8. 

;h  80  far,  but 
iter  your  work 
yer  go  'inakin' 
er  carry  out,  — 

her  go  back;" 
rer  and  twitch 
the  water-pails 

,  "  while  I  talk'j 
ck  IrJd  his  plan 
"  brinr:  the  run 
en  to  hire  hands 
i  or  giving  Hug- 
me  up  stairs  out 

;y  to  a  captive  in 
nd  his  voice  was 
ne  a  pen!    I'll 
i'  the  plantation 
1  Weza  for  takin' 
•k  while  we  lives, 
then  I  might  feel 
I  it  and  feed  and 
:  wjiile  we  lives, 
be  our  heirs." 
fezA  to  make  yer 


OATHRRma   AT   HOME. 


811 


clothes,  do  yer  ! "  asked  Zack.     And  then  all  the 
little  company,  including  massa.  and  missus,  laughed  • 
heartily  at  the  remembrance  of  the   suits   which 
poor  Weza  had  improvised  from  blankets  in  the 
hour  of  their  deep  extremity. 

"  Now,  den,  mammy,  order  do  women  to  haul 
out  de  table,  and  let's  have  dc  best  yer  got  to  cele- 
brate dia  bargain  'tween  Massa  Iluggina  and  me, " 
cried  Zack.  Set  a  small  table  for  dem  alone 
'cause  dey's  white." 

But  missus  was  so  overjoyed  "  to  be  clar  of  whito 
folks, "  that  she  positively  refused  to  sit  at  a  sepa- 
rate table,  and  soon  there  was  the  rare  sight  of  the 
"  chevelry  "  and  their  sable  neighbors  eating  and 
chatting  merrily  together.  All  went  on  well  ex- 
cept tlie  slight  blunder  of  "  massa"  who  was  unused 
to  prayers  or  invocations,  shouting  out,  while  poor 
Zack  was  asking  heaven's  blessing  on  Ihe  board, 
"  I  tell  yer  them  Yankees  is  awful." 

"  Now,  see  here  friends,  one  and  all, "  cried  Zack, 
"  I's  'bout  half  Yankee  myself,  and  I  sha'n't  hear 
no  word  spoke  agin  dem,  dat  gin  their  sons  and 
their  own  life's  blood  for  us.  I  shall  'spect  ev- 
erybody dat  lives  'bout  me  to  speak  of  dem  same 
way  as  dey  does  of  de  men  in  do  Bible.  Do  yer  all 
hear ! " 

"  Yes, "  said  "  missus, "  "  they  hears  and  dey'll 


mfti4^mwamm^*'i"»^i"^ 


.'*' 


/^^ 


'ill 


m 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS 


iiieml)er  tvjio,  case  tliey'd  hurt  massa  aiiil  my  feelin's 
as  well  as  youni,  for  we're  powerful  fond  of  the 
Yankees  too."  She  was  a  skilful  weathercock,  but 
she  had  not  art  enough  to  hide  the  act  of  her  turn- 
ing about. 

"Now  I  reckons  'twouldn't  break  nobody's 
heart  if  I  should  leave  Weza  here  to  gossip  a  few- 
days  while  I  goes  down  to  the  city  to  look  out  for 
hands  to  work  wid  me,  and  to  move  Chrissy  and 
her  folks  up  again.  Weza  can  tell  yer  all  about  do 
North,  and  do  queer  things  she  see  dere,  and  yer 
can  all  go  over  to  do  Huggins  plantation  to  see  if 
do  house  haint  run  off,  nor  sot  down  on  de  grass  in 
de  mean  time,  "  said  Zack. 

When  Zack  was  ready  to  take  his  "  partner  "  and 
wife  back  to  Mr.  Davidson's,  "missus  "  declared  she 
wouldn't  go  for  a  million  o'  money,  and  she  main- 
tained her  ■position.  She  suggested  hysnrics  when 
Zack  urged  her  to  go,  but  he  said,  "  Yer  may  stay 
liere  if  Cieo  will  lot  yer,  but  as  long  as  yer  live 
don't  let  me  hear  the  word  hysterics'  agin.  And 
the  minute  yer  tries  dat  game  while  I's  master, 
either  yer  or  I  clars  off.  I  can  bear  as  much  as 
any  other  man  wid  poor  weak  women,  but  I 
won't  put  up  wid  artful  ones.  Now  mind  dat, 
missus.  •  -i.     > 

"And  moreover  when  I's  mas ^r  and  head, I 


1 


:ss 

,  and  my  feelin's 
•fill  loud  of  the 
veathorcock,  but 

act  of  her  turn- 
break    nobody's 

to  gossip  a  few 
rto  look  out  for 
ove  Chrissy  and 
[  yer  all  about  de 
ee  dere,  and  ycr 
iitatiou  to  see  if 
ni  on  de  grass  in 

is  "  partner  "  and 
sua  "  declared  she 
oy,  and  she  maiu- 
ed  hyanrics  when 
i,  "  Yer  may  stay 
I  long  as  yer  live 
erics'  agiu.     And 
while  I's  master, 
bear  as  much  as 
ik   women,  but   I 
Now   mind  dat, 


GATHERING   AC   HOME. 


813 


■,s 


shall  'spect  everybody  dat  aint  siclcabed  to  go  up 
to  de  Lord's  house  of  a  Sunday,  and  to  come  into 
do  room  when  I  says  prayers  ni-'cl:t  and  mornin'. 
I's  goin'  to  set  God  afore  me  and  my  house,  and 
have  his  name  honored  derc,  for  he  has  brung  us 
out  of  Egypt  wid  a  strqng  and  migi>ty  arm  ;  he 
has  plunged  Pharaoh  and  his  hosts  in  do  sea,  and 
let  us  walk  over  dryshod  ;  he  has  smit  de  rock  and 
it  sent  forth  water  to  us ;  he  has  rai.icd  down 
bread  from  heaven  to  feed  us,  turned  out  de  hea- 
then and  gin  dere  inheritanch  to  us, —  axiu  yer  par- 
don massa  and  missus  —  and  we's  not  goin'  to  mur- 
mur agin  him,  nor  Set  up  gold  calves  to  worship, 
nor  insult  him  no  way  ;  we's  goin'  for  to  humble 
ourselves  afore  him,  and  walk  like  he  tell  us.  Den 
byraeby  when  we's  clar  out  of  dis  yere  wilde'ness 
he'll  take  us  home  to  glory." 

Iluggins  manifested  as  little  desire  to  go  back  to, 
Mr.  Davidson's  as  did  "  missus,"  and  expressed 
some  fear  lest  that  sharp  Yankee,  Mr  Green,  might 
refuse  to  release  him  from  his  obligation !  But 
Zack  promised  to  make  that  all  right,  and  they  set- 
off, Huggins  looking  back  reluctantly. 


lascf  and  head,  I 


■X\i;i<:i.     'y<i" 


.^  ■  '■ 


m.iliiiliii|iii«i'Hi'iiii*iii 


III  r  tiilWl »ii|M'  ^,^j^M^ut«w 


wi^-iii^^  mtiMXA  ill  .tej,!  li^ 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


WHEN  Zack  set  off  for  tlie  boat,  Weza  accom- 
panied him  for  a  few  more  words. 
»  *'  Zack,"  she  said,  "  I's  had  a  mighty  big  fight 
wid  Satan  in  de  night,  and  by  de  help  of  de  Lord 
I  beat  him." 

"  Hi,  hi !  "  cried  Zack,  "  I  reckons  he  was  'ston- 
ished  to  find  hisself  beat  by  such  a  weak,  shy 
little  creatur'  as  yer  be.  What  was  de  fight  'bout 
dis  time  ? " 

"  Oh,  de  old  story  —  de  boys  agin.  Satan  told 
me  dat  de  Lord  didn't  hear  my  prayer;  dat  he 
was  so  great  and  wise  he  wouldn't  stoop  to  listen 
to  a  poor  black  woman.  Den  I  feel,  all  of  a  sud- 
dent,  in  my  soul,  dat  dem  prayers  was  all  tuk  up 
and  printed  in  gold  letters  afore  de  throne,  and  dat 
my  tears  was  saved  up  in  bottles,  like  preachin' 
Jack  used  to  say  do  tears  of  all  de  saints  is.  I 
grew  60  bold  dat  I  cry  out,  <  Oet  dee  behind  me, 

8U 


X)UT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


815 


at,  Weza  accom- 

ords. 

mighty  big  fight 

help  of  de  Lord 

:on8  he  was  'ston- 
uch  a  weak,  shy 
ms  de  fight  'bout 

agin.  Satan  told 
y  prayer;  dat  he 
n't  stoop  to  listen 
feel,  all  of  a  sud- 
ors was  all  tuk  up 
de  throne,  and  dat 
les,  like  preachin' 
U  de  saints  is.  I 
et  dee  behind  me, 


Satan,  for  ycr  a  lie  and  de  father  of  lies  ! '  And 
he  flowed  like  I'd  been  a  rigiment  o'  sogers. 
'Pears  'twas  a  vision  like,  for  den  I  see  my  sister, 
de  virgin  Mary,  Icanin'  on  John's  shoulder,  a 
lookin'  at  de  Jews  as  dey  mocked  and  pierced  ray 
beloved  Jesus.  'Feared  like  I  was  'specting  Mary 
would  cry  out  and  ax  de  Father  why  lie  let  all  dis 
come  on  her  son  'stead  of  other  women's  sons. 
But  dere  she  stood,  beau'ful  and  calm  and  pale ; 
nci  a  word  from  her  lips ;  no  'buse  of  de  enemy, 
no  murmurin'  agin  de  Father.  'Feared  like  a 
voice  from  heaven  said  to  me,  '0  ye  o'  little  faitM^ 
look  at  dat  mother !  If  she  could  give  up  such  a 
son  to  such  a  death,  can't  yer  give  up  yer  poor 
sinful  boys  into  de  hand  of  de  massiful  God?' 
And  I  said,  '  Yes,  Lord.'  Den  I  thanked  him  dat 
dey  was  in  his  hand,  and  axed  him  to  do  his  own 
will  and  not  to  mind  me  at  all.  Den  dere  come 
such  a  power  o'  peace  over  my  soul  dat  I  thought 
I  was  in  heaven  for  a  little  while.  I  felt  like  I 
didn't  care  if  de  world  was  tarned  bottom  upwards, 
for  God  reigned  anJ  all  must  go  right.  Dem  ain't 
my  boys  no  more,  Zack,  dey're  de  Lord's,  and  he 
can  look  out  for  his  chil'en  without  poor  me  tryin' 
to  help  him.  My  heart's  fixed  on  one  promise, 
and  I  don't  b'lieve  it  can  ever  be  shuk  agin :  *  All 
things  work  for  good  to  dem  dat  loves  God  ; '  and 


I 


816 


OCT  OP  TiTE  wilderness; 


I  knows  I  loves  him.  I  'njcmbcrcd  do  licau'ful 
vision  wlicrc  I  sec  yer  first,  and  wlicrc  nid,  and 
ycr,  and  dc  J)oys,  and  heaps  more  was  all  l)ound 
hy  gold  chains  to  dc  heart  o'  Jenitis ;  and  1  was 
'mazed  dat  I'd  forgot  it.  I  b'lievc  my  sons  is 
either  in  heaven  or  some  other  lovely  place,  and 
I'll  hear  all  almut  it  when  1  gets  to  my  Father's 
kingdom.  Now  go  down  river,  ycr  dear  good  man, 
fcclin'  dat  ycr'vc  left  dc  happiest  wife  in  do  world 
behind  ycr,  nnd  dat  she's  a  waitin'  for  yer  to  bring 
liomc  someliody  she  can  help.  I  want  to  put  up 
over  de  door  of  our  new  homo,  '  Dis  is  do  house 
of  God  and  do  gate  of  heaven,'  and  to  love  and 
sarve  him  here  as  long  as  wo  lives." 

Zack  was  now  a  planter,  with  both  a  plantation 
and  its  owner  on  his  hands.  It  would  have  been 
hard  to  tell  which  of  the  two  acquisitions  was  the 
more  hopeless.  Any  but  a  strong  man  with  a  will 
to  work  would  have  shrunk  from  accepting  cither 
cliaj'ge,  so  dilapidated  were  both. 

In  looking  about  fcrr  "  hands "  among  the  re- 
turned soldiers  in  the  city,  ZacU  avoided  all  drink- 
ing and  gambling  saloons.  "  De  boys,"  he  said, 
"  dat  has  a  taste  for  such  like  places  ain't  de  boys 
for  me.  I's  goin'  to  begin  'construction  from  de 
very  bottom,  in  de  hearts  of  myself  and  my  men, 
and  den  no  fear  but  we'll  get  on  well."  -  >i*v  • 


\: 


OUT  OF  THE  W1LDERNE88. 


817 


d   tie  beau' fill 
hcic  intf,  and 
was  all  Iwuiid 
IIS  ;  ami  1  was 
re  my  sons  is 
vely  i)lace,  and 
o  my  Father's 
dear  good  man, 
ife  in  do  world 
for  yer  to  bring 
want  to  put  up 
Dis  is  de  house 
lud  to  love  and 

oth  a  plantation 
rould  have  been 
lisitions  was  the 
man  with  a  will 
accepting  cither 

"  among  the  re- 
.voidod  all  drink- 
!  boys,"  he  said, 
ices  ain't  de  boys 
atruction  from  de 
iclf  and  my  men, 
j^ell 


»» 


•t'f 


He  went  to  old  Sally,  but  she  had  no  men  for 
him.     Then  ho  called    on  Bill    Aiken,  the    black 
preacher,  and  asked  him  to  give  his  business  out 
in  lueetin'  with  all  "  de  ))crticlais,"  which  Bill  did 
in  the  following  words :  "As  men  is  commanded 
to  1)0  diligent  in  business,  course  it's  right  to  find 
business  for  'em  to  be  diligent  in  ;  and  as  some  of 
yer  wants  work,  gettiu'  it    for  yer  to-day  will  bo 
like  j)ullin'  de  ox  and  de  ass  out  of  a  pit  on  de 
Sabbath  day.     Dore's   an   honest,  good-principled 
colored  man  here  dat  has  hired  a  plantation  up 
river,  which,  'cordin'  ,to  his  description,  looks  like 
de   'struction  of   Jerusalem   and   de   downfall  o' 
r>ab"lon.  •  Dcre's  every  thin'  to  do  dere  fore  yer 
begin,  and  arter  dat  dore's  plowin',  and  plantin', 
and  plantation  work  in  gineral ;    besides  acres  o' 
pine  wood  |,o  bo  cut  and  hauled  to  de  river.     Now 
if  dcre's  any  men  here  dat  don't  drink  nor  swear, 
and  dat  wants  a  good  home  and  plenty  of  work, 
dey  can  see  dis  brother  at  Hector  Adams'  barber 
shop,  on  St.  Joseph  Street,  at  six  o'clock  to-mor- 
row morning  —  it's  early  birds  he's  arter,  yer  see. 
Wives  and  chil'en  is  'lowed  on  de  plantation  if 
ye've  got  'em." 

Zack  was  on  the  spot  next  morning,  and  there 
ho  met  a  score  of  men  anxious  to  go  with  him, 
many  of  them  having  brought  their  bundles  ready 


1 11, 1'iiMiff'TJiiiri  -  -^"'^ 


i  'SSCtm^flikll'V^a-i*^ 


818 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


h 


to  start.  Among  the  number  was  a  tall,  fine  look- 
ing 3'oung  man,  who  at  once  attracted  \m  at- 
tention. 

"  Yer  wasn't  looking  for  field  work,  aonny  ?  " 
asked  Zack. 

"  I've  never  worked  in  the  field,"  replied  the 
youth,  in  a  musical  voice,  "  but  I  want  something 
to  do,  and  am  ready  to  take  hold  of  what  comes  up 
first.  By-and-by,  when  matters  get  settled  down  a 
little,  our  people  will  have  schools,  and  then  I  can 
teach.  I've  had  good  learning  for  one  of  us,  and 
can  write  mighty  well  and  keep  accounts.  When 
I  heard  about  yer  at  church,  I  thought  it  might  bo 
ye'd  like  some  one  to  keep  yer  accounts,  and  pay 
oflF  yer  men,  and  look  after  matters  round  the 
house  while  yc're  off  on  the  plantation." 

Zack  was  charmed  by  the  fine  appearance  and 
the  modest  demeanor  of  the  youth. 

"  I'm  'feared  yer'd  wants  heaps  of  money  for  all 
yer  larnin,"  he  replied,  "  and  not  bo  satisfied  with 
de  rough  fare  we'll  have  at  first.  De  place  I's 
took  looks  like  Bedlam,  and  I's  most  ashamed  to 
take  men  dere  till  it's  clared  up.  But  dat's  de 
first  thing  I  want 'em  for." 

"  I  don't  care  much  for  wages,"  replied  the  young 
mulatto.  "  I've  beeu  captain's  servant  in  the  war, 
and  have  a  little  sum  laid  up.    I  want  a  home  and 


<wii  m  I  111  — yupx — 


OCT  OF  THE   WILDEBNESa. 


819 


ine  look- 
his  at- 

Bonny  ? " 

plied  the 
loinething 
comes  up 
jd  down  a 
lieu  I  can 
of  UB,  and 
8.  When 
b  might  bo 
J,  and  pay 
round  the 

trance  and 

jney  for  all 
tisfied  with 
►e  place  I's 
ashamed  to 
lut  dat's  de 

5d  the  young 
b  in  the  war, 
a  home  and 


work.  Vm  not  afraid  of  any  thing  I  know  how  to 
do ;  and  what  I  don't  Icnow  I  can  easy  learn.  I 
was  brought  up  wrong,  as  a  slave,  —  fiddling,  and 
wliistling,  and  riding,  and  brushing  coats,  and 
canying  notes,"  and  such  work.  But  a  free  man's 
gut  to  push  his  way  in  the  world,  and  though  Vm 
behind  most  of  these  for  work,  I  mean  to  be  up 
with  'cm  !  I'd  rather  hoe  corn  free  than  ride  be- 
liiad  a  fast  Ijorsc  a  slave." 

"  Give  me  yer  hand,  sonny,"  shouted  Zack. 
"  Yor  made  of  de  right  metal,  and  I'll  find  some- 
thin'  yer  can  do,  and  I'll  feed  yer  on  de  fat  of  de 
land,  if  we  can  get  hold.ou't.  Got  any  'lations 
'live  ?  " 

''  Yes,  one  brother.  I  found  him  among  the 
men  of  another  regiment  by  our  looking  so  much 
alike.  Every  soldier  that  had  seen  l)oth  of  us 
spoke  of  it ;  and  as  soon  as  we  met  and  talked 
we  were  sure  of  it.  We  were  sold  and  separated 
years  ago,  when  Dy.  Percy's  estnie  was  settled  in 
this  city.  I  went  with  the  heir,  who  brought  me 
up  to  make  sport  for  him,  and  then  sold  me  to 
make  sport  for  other  folks.  My  brother  has  fared 
harder,  but  he's  twice  the  man  for  work  that  I  am, 
and  if  yer'U  take  him  too,  I'd  go  where  he  is  and 
t*ll  him  this  minute." 
:    If  the  thing  had  been  possible,  Zack  would  have 


-  v<Ki  *nilihNr,fr 


H^ 


^1 


320 


OUT  OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 


turned  pale.  As  it  was,  his  emotion  was  mani- 
fested by  the  great  tears  that  rolled  down  his  sable 
cheeks.  "  Got  no  motlier,  sonny  ? "  he  asked, 
pitifully. 

"  I  hope  we  have,"  repliod  the  youth.  "  She. 
was  sold  when  my  brother  was,  and  he  knew  where 
she  went.  His  owner  wrote  to  the  family  but 
never  got  an  answer.  The  man  that  bought  her — 
old  De  Grow  —  has  been  dead  for  years,  and 
there's  been  a  dozen  overseers  on  the  place  since 
then  ;  but  we're  bound  to  get  some  track  of  her. 
My  captain's  put  it  in  the  papers  in  New  York,  and 
Boston,  and  Philadelphia,  thinkin'  she  might  have 
got  to  the  North ;  and  I've  put  it  in  two  papers, 
and  had  it  called  out  in  two  meetin's  down  liere." 

"I  s'poso  yer've  been  separated  so  longyer  don't 
keer  much  'bout  her,  only  for  de  name  of  huntin' 
her  up  ?  It's  de  fashion  to  make  a  great  stir  'bout 
yer  friends  now  days,"  replied  Zack,  still  wiping 
his  eyes. 

"  Friend,"  said  the  young  man,  "  if  by  having 
my  right  arm  cut  off  I  could  find  my  mother,  I'd 
have  it  done  without  a  word,  and  my  right  cvo 
might  go  with  it." 

Zack  dashed  away  his  tears,  and  burst  into  a 
loud  laugh.  He  came  so  near  having  one  of  Mrs. 
Huggins  "  turns  "  that  the  men  gatlic-id  round  to 


,s  mam- 
tiis  sable 
;   asked, 

.    "  She. 
jw  where 
mily  but 
ht  her — 
lars,  and 
ace  since 
;k  of  her. 
STork,  and 
ight  have 
'0  papers, 
n  here." 
;  yer  don't 
of  huntin' 
stir  'bout 
ill  wiping 

by  having 

nother,  I'd 

right  eye 

irst  into  a 
)nc  of  Mrs. 
id  round  to 


OUT  OP  THK   WILDERNESS. 


321 


see  wliat   the  excitement   was  about.     He   t3"'ew 
his   arms   round  the  young  stranger,   and    said, 
"  why,  sonny,  I  can  give  yer  dat  mother,  and  let 
yer  keep  yer  riglit  arms  and  eyes  too,     I's  got  her 
myself,  and  a  dearer,  and  loviner,  and  patienter 
little  woman  do  Lord  never  made !  •  Her  name  was 
Louisa  Percy  —  called  Weza  —  and  I'm  her  hus- 
band,  dat    she    love,  "honor,   and    obeys.      She's 
mourned  her  life  most  out  'bout  dem  two  boys  o' 
hern,  and  oh,  how  mighty  I  have  called  on  de  Lord 
for  to  send  'cm  to  her.     Only  'tother  night  she 
fouu'  grace  for  to  give  'em  up,  body  and  soul,  to  de 
Lord,  and  I  IcI"  her  stan'in'  on  de  top  o'  Mount 
Zjon  when  I  come  down  to  look  for  men.     I'm 
'feared  she'll  cut   loose  from  arth    and  go  up  to 
glory  on  do  wings  of  dis  great  joy.     Go  now,  my 
son,  and  find  yer  brother,  and  tell  him  his  father 
and  mother's  found,  and  dat  God's  word  is  true 
dat  de   solitary  is  gathered  into   a  family.     Yer 
shall  keep  my  figures  and  pay  my  bills,  and  when 
Madam  Leon  comes  back,  she'll  set  yer  a  teach- 
in'  school  and  readin'  de  Scriptur's  to  them  dat's 
flockin'    back    to    dere    own    homes.      And    yer 
bruther,  if  he's  a  workin'  man,  shall  be  my  over- 
ft'cr,  and   we'll  show  our  inimies  whether  black 
folks  can't  tcke  keer  oil  'emselves  when  dey's'free! 
Why,  when  I  was  gone  to  de  war,  and  gin  up  for 


'jnijili^'- 


i-iiiiiV-Miiiiiiii'-iit;iMirta^ig4...JfaV.^ 


322 


OUT  OF  THE   WILDERNESSi 


i>" 


dead,  yer  poor,  weak  little  mammy  took  keer  on 
herself  ami  a  couple  of  old  live  mumiiiiea  dat's 
owned  her  for  years,  dat  would  elsewisc  o'  starved 
to  death.  But  oh,  she  worked  cruel  hard  to  do 
it." 

«  She  shall  never  work  hard  any  more,"  cried 
the  youth,  his  tearful  eye  kindling  with  joy. 

"  1  should  say  not,"  cried" Zack,  "  when  she's  got 
three  big  men,  and  one  of  'em  a  larned  one,  to 
work  for  her.  But  she  will  work  some  way.  Her 
heart's  so  full  of  love  dat  she  has  to  work  it  off  wid 
her  hands.  Go  fetch  yer  brother,  chile,  while  I 
looks  'mong  dese  men  for  de  hands  I  wants." 

The  next  day  Clco's  kitchen  was  the  scope 
of  a  joyful  8uri)risfe  which  we  shall  not  attempt  to 
describe.  After  the  happy  mother  grew  calm 
enough  to  talk,  she  said, "It  is  as  Zack  said,— and 
he  always  says  just  de  right  thing,—  when  I  gin  up 
my  will  de  Lord  answered  my  prayei-s,  and  now  I's 
tic  happiest  woman  on  all  dis  arth.  Why,  even 
Madam  Leon  haint  got  two  so" 

On  the  plantation  all  hanu^  ,  .1.  to  work  pick- 
ing up  old  cart-wheels  and  carryalls,  mending 
fences  and  setting  glass,  putting  on  latches  and 
nailing  loose  boards  on  the  floors,  and  shingles  on 
Ihe  roof;  and  as  they  were  not  very  fastidious 
tenants  the  place  was  ready  for  occupancy  in  forty- 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


823 


teer  on 
es  dat'a 
starved 
d  to  do 

a,"  cried 

she's  got 
i  one,  to 
ay.  Her 
it  off  wid 
3,  while  I 
Its." 

the  scope 
attempt  to 
^ew  calm 
jaid,— and 
en  I  gin  up 
md  now  I's 
Why,  even 

work  pick- 
Iri,  mending 
latches  and 
.  shingles  on 
ly  fastidious 
mey  in  forty- 


eight  hours.  In  the  meantime  they  had  come 
uix)n  the  rusty  old  plough  buried  where  Huggins 
had  left  it  the  day  he  went  oil"  with  the  Yankee 
gentleman.  Zack  enjoyed  the  siglit  very  much 
and  said,  "  Dere's  come  a  big  change  to  yer,  little 
woman,  since  de  day  yer  made  a  mule  out  o'  yer 
old  niassa."  Zack  had  painted  tlie  floor  of  the 
great  dining-room  a  bright  yellow,  and  bought  a 
huge  rocking-chair  which  he  placed  in  the  middle 
of  the  floor,  while  six  yellow  wooden  ones  sur- 
rounded it  against  the  wall.  An  eighteen  inch 
looking-glass  hung  between  the  windows,  and  two 
goi'geous  ajid  loyal  roosters,  with  plaster  plumes  in 
red,  white  and  blue  maintained  their  exultant  pos- 
ture— just  on  the  eve  of  crowing  but  never  doing 
it — on  the  mantel-piece.  On  one  side  of  the  wall 
was  a  cheaply  framed  picture  of  Mr.  Lincoln  and 
on  an  other  a  newspaper  cut  of  his  deathbed. 
The  rest  of  the  house  was  furnished  by  mending 
up  the  fallen  articles  with  which  half  the  garret 
was  filled,  and  supplying  a  few  others ;  and  Weza 
went  to  housekeeping  on  her  own  account  with 
real  womanly  pride. 

When  Mrs.  Huggins  was  ushered  into  her  newly- 
whitewashed  and  well-scoured  chamber  she  laughed 
out  like  a  child,  and  said,  "  Well,  now,  I  do  say 
that  Tm  glad  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  that  I 


■I 


■Hi 


824 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDEKNES8. 


didn't  marry  the  Colonel  when  I  was  a  gal.  For 
then  I'd  be  a  draggin'  round  Boston,  and  Pheldcl- 
phy,  and  Wash'nton,  and  all  creation,  'stead  o' 
bein'  able  to  set  down  on  one  cheer  in  this  nice 
room,  with  my  feet  in  another,  and  this  funny 
pipe  in  my  mouth,  at  liljei-ty  to  take  ten  naps  a 
day  if  I'm  a  mind  to.     Weza,  fill  my  pipe."    , 

Weza  rose  to  her  feet,  but  Zack  cried  out,  "  Sit 
down,  little  woman !  Missus,  de  bargain  was  dat 
yer  should  do  yer  own  wailin'  and  tendin',  so  now 
go  down  peaceable  and  get  yer  tobacco — if  yer 
will  use  the  filthy  stuff — and  then  git  yer  needle 
and  sew  a  gown  or  somethiu'  or  nother." 

"  So  I  will,"  replied  missus,  "  for  it  has  put  new 
strength  into  every  jint  of  my  body  to  be  back  to 
the  mansion  house  all  fixed  up  so  elegant  —  even 
though  Iluggins  aint  master  here.  Huggins  is  a 
fine,  sperited  man  that  any  wife  mought  be  proud 
on  ;  and  though  the  Colonel's  called  handsome  and 
grand,  and  though  ho  steps  quick,  do  he  ain't 
half  such  a  suitable  man  as  Iluggins ;  and  I  do 
think  suitable  men  is  finer  than  such  keen  ones." 

Work  seemed  like  play  now.  The  crops  they 
]ilantcd,  the  .chickens  they  raised,  the  mules  they 
bought  were  all  to  be  their  own.  The  old  house 
was  repaired  with  labor  and  cost,  in  the  joyous 
hope  that  it  would  yet  be  theirs  and  their  chil- 


OUT  OP  THE   WILDERNESS. 


325 


i\.  For 
PUeldel- 
stead  o' 
Ills  nice 
8  funny 

1  naps  a 

>» 

ut,  "  Sit 
was  dat 
',  80  now 
—  if  yer 
cr  needle 

}  put  new 
e  back  to 
it  —  even 
rgins  is  a 
be  proud 
Isomo  and 
»  he  ain't 
and  I  do 
in  ones." 
crops  they 
nules  they 
:  old  house 
the  joyous 
their  chil- 


dren's after  tlicm.     Every   member  of  the  sable 
family  toiled  with  a  glad  spirit,  whicli  was  maui- 
.fested  by  the  merry  wliistle  in  the  (ield  and  the 
joyful  song  in  the  house.  • 

Even  Mrs.  Hu}^j>;in8,  "  ketching  the  Yankee  sper- 
it,"  insisted  on  washing  the  dishes  and  setting  the 
table,  spasmodically,  and  Huggins  migl't  now  and 
then  be  seen  feeding  tlie  chickens  or  bringing  a 
basket  of  corn-cobs  into  the  kitchen,  moving  as 
if  to  the  music  of  the  "  Dead  March  in  Saul." 

When  the  first  crop  was  springing  from  the 
ground,  and  the  work  increased  faster  than  the 
workmen  could  attend  to  it,  Weza  was  surprised 
one  day  by  a  strange  spectacle  drawing  near  the 
house.  On  the  living  skeleton  of  the  "  old  white 
boss,"  sat  the  fellow  who  went  by  the  one  name 
of  "  the  stiff-kneed  boy,"  supporting  in  his  arms 
the  wan  form  of  poor  Obed,  looking  more  dead 
than  alive. 

The  little  woman  dropped  what  was  in  her  hand 
and  ran  to  the  door  exclaiming,  "  Why,  yer  two 
poor  fellows  !  How  a  family  is  gathering  'bout  me 
and  Zack  ! "  and  she  put  up  her  arms  to  hold  Obed 
till  his  friend  could  get  off  the  horse  and  carry 
him  into  the  house.  •  < 

■  '^  Well,  Weza,"  said  Obed,  in  a  faint  voice,  "  I's 
been  a  long  journey  fur  to  hunt  yer  up,  and  now  I's 
come  here  for  to  die  by  yer." 


326 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


"  No,  my  child,"  cried  Weza,  pitifully,  "  yer'a 
come  to  bo  nusscd  up,  and  to  live  and  to  bo  one 
o'  my  boys.  O,  Obcd,  do  Lord  has  brung  me  dem 
boys  dat  I  was  so  wild  about,  and  dey's  just  like 
two  geuTman  and  yet  so  loviu',  and  tinder,  and 
'dustrions  dat  my  heart's  full  and  runnin'  Over  wid 
de  massy  of  de  lovin'  Lord.  But  tell  me,  chile, 
whar  ycr  been  all  dis  time,  and  who  took  keer  on 
yer  ? " 

"  Dis  stiff-kneed  fellow  did,"  replied  Obed,  with 
a  faint  smile.  ''  He  found  out  his  kuee  wasn't  so 
stiff,  arter  all,  when  it  was  his  own.  He  had  more 
courage  a  rubbin'  it  den  when  it  was  Massa  Hiig- 
gins'  knee.  He  got  into  some  sort  o'  business  in  de 
army,  and  left  me  wid  a  lot  of  old  contrabango 
women  and  chil'en,  and  he's  s'poiied  me  and  my 
boss  ever  since.  When  he  come  back  he  got  work 
in  de  city,  and  take  a  room  for  us,  and  we  kep'  de 
boss  in  de  back  yard,  but  couldn't  half  fee  him. 
Last  week  he  run  agin  Luke  down  dar,  and  neerd 
yer  was  here  ;  and  I  said, '  Take  mo  home  to  Weza 
to  die.  So  here  I  is  most  dead.  He  want  me  to 
leave  de  boss  or  kill  it,  and  come  up  in  de  boat ; 
but  I  don't  tarn  agin  old  friends  dat  way."      .»  ba. 

"  It's  a  wonder,"  said  Weza,  innocently,  "  dey 
didn't  take  dat  boss  from  yer  when  bosses  was  so 

skcarce  in  de  war."  .,      --^.r. -- 

".V.  t<.-.si  f-tac-." 


■.*■■ 


■4  'I 


"  yer'8 
bo  one 
ne  dein 
ust  like 
ler,  and 
ver  wid 
B,  chile, 
keer  on 

led,  with 
irasn't  so 
lad  more 
isa  Hug- 
less  in  de 
itrabango 
and  my 
got  work 
e  kep'  de 
fee.     him. 
md  neerd 
B  to  Weza 
ant  me  to 

1  de  boat ; 

»  » 

itly,  «  dey 
ises  was  so 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


827 


"  He  wastn't  de  kind  dey  wanted,"  said  the  stiflF- 
kneed  boy.  '•  If  all  our  bosses  had  been  like  Obe's 
vvc  shouldn't  be  where  we  is  dis  day.  I's  fit  for  de 
country  and  been  mighty  brave  since  I  see  yer,  but 
I'h  glad  to  be  home  agin  now  dat  Zack's  master 
here.  I  hope  he'll  hire  me  for  one  of  his  men, 
and  I'll  work  enough  to  pay  for  poor  Obed's  keep- 
ing. !!,    'n.  •;>   i;-;:  -..,-■„    .:.■■--:     .■  ' : ,       .  "  ;.  ,      ,j..- 

"  But  how  comes  yer  can  work  smart  and  yer  so 
lame  ?  "  a.sked  Weza. 

"  Oh,  1  ain't  lame  now  to  speak  on.  When  I 
got  free  I  found  out,  all  of  a  suddent,  dat  I  wasn't 
so  lame  as  I  thought  I  was.  It  was  a  moughty 
siglit  easier  to  walk  straight  wid  my  own  leg  dan 
wid  one  dat  belong  to  Massa  Huggins.  I'd  got 
pretty  much  over  de  cut  I  had  seven  year  ago,  and 
an  old  woman  in  a  hut  whar  we  stop  one  night 
arter  we*  left  poor  missus  asleep  in  de  gig,  rub  • 
some  len'mcnt  onto  it,  and  den  it  was  as  good  as 
the  other,  only  I  had  to  lam  how  to  walk  straight 
agin.  She  said  'twas  a  mericle  dat  liberty  had 
worked  for  heaps  of  our  folks.  She  said  she'd 
knowed  blind  folks,  and  deaf  folks,  and  cripples, 
and  sich  ones  all  come  out  as  good  as  new  de 
minute  dey  got  rid  of  der  massas.  Say,  will  Zack 
put  me  to  work,  Weza?"   ?i;   .-^f!*    <      i  -^  ,s;  .-:'  ml 

"  Sartin,  chile,  yer  go  out  in  de  field  and  find 


a 


.] 


828 


OUT  OP  THE  WILPKRNESS. 


him.  and  tell  him  he  may  have  yer,  and  dat  I  will 
take  Ohed.  I  dis  day  been  axin'  de  massa  above 
for  somcthin'  to  d .  foi'  him,  and  see  how  quick  he 
answered  me."  .  -•  ' 

While  talking  she  had  arranged  a  comfortable 
resting  place  for  the  poor  cripple  by  tipping  back 
the  cherished  rocking-chair  and  filling  it  with  blan- 
kets, and  when  his  friend  laid  him  into  it  he  looked 
up  in  Weza's  motherly  face,  and  said,  "  'Pears  like 
I  was  in  heaven  now.  Has  anybody  keercd  for 
my  boss  ?  " 

When  "  missus  "  heard  that  Obed  had  arrived, 
she  s[)rang  out  of  her  chair  with  terrible  energy, 
and  declared  he  should  not  stay  one  hour  in  the 
mansion  house  after  the  way  he  treated  her  the 
night  that  the  Yankee  "  hordges "  tliat  poured 
down  on  them,  didn't  come.  But  Zack,  while  ho 
blamed  the  boys  for  that  trick,  reminded  her  that 
he  was  "  massa  at  the  yilace  now,  and  that  Weza 
must  have  her  way  "bout  Obed."  And  Weza's 
way  was  to  nurse  him  back  to  life  again. 

When  the  Colonel  returned  home  he  was  re- 
ioiccd  at  the  change  on  the  Huggins  plantation,  as 
well  as  surprised  at  the  manner  in  which  his  own 
had  been  kept  up  by  a  few  weak  people  on  whom 
he  had  hud  no  legal  claim.  Ho  even  expressed 
pleasure  at  the  result  of  the  great  struggle,  and 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


829 


it  I  will 
a  above 
[uick  he 

ifortable 
ng  back 
ith  blan- 
ic  looked 
cars  like 
jcrcd  for 

arrived, 
J  energy, 
ur  ill  the 
I  her  the 
it  poured 

while  he 
1  her  that 
hat  Weza 
d  Weza's 

B  was  re- 
itation,  as 
h  his  own 
I  on  whom 
expressed 
uggle,  and 


oflercd  his  men  their  choice,  to  work  for  him  at 
fair  wages,  or  to  take  a  piece  of  land  and  work  for 
themselves. 

While  Zack  was  reaping  his  first  harvest,  he  had 
a  visit  from  his  own  beloved  master,  who  had  just 
returned  from  Europe  with  his  wife,  and  was  the 
guest  of  the  Colonel.  The  gentleman  was  greatly 
pleased  with  the  prosperity  of  his  sable  friends, 
and  after  getting  a  deed  of  the  plantation  for  Zack, 
he  ordered  the  house  and  outbuildings  p:.t  in  per- 
fect re[)air,  and  provided  him  with  the  best  farm- 
ing implements  to  be  found.  <'  I  mean,"  he  said, 
"  to  prove  that  such  men  as  Zack  can  take  care  of 
themselves  without  a  master."  And  he  did  prove 
it* 

As  the  planters  came  back  and  gathered  labor- 
era  about  them,  Sampson  opened  a  school  in  a 
building  erected  for  him.  It  was  largely  attended- 
by  children  in  tlie  day  time  and  by  the  whole  adult 
,  population  of  blacks  in  the  evenings.  Scriptur' 
Bill  gathered  liis  family  togetlier  and  settled  near 
Zack,  and  every  Sunday  "  he  held  preachin's  in 
the  schoolhouse,"  and  was  always  ready  to  lend  a 
helping  hand  at  any  good  work. 

When  Madam  Leon,  who  now  ruled  as  a  queen 
rather  tliaii  as  a  mistress  among  her  liumblo 
uciglibors,  asked  Weza  if   all  her  desires  were 


y 


■m 


880 


OUT  OP  THE  WILDERNESS. 


gratified,  she  replied,  "Yes,  missus  dear.  If  I 
was  told  to  ax  for  any  thing  I  wanted  in  dis  arth  I 
couldn't  think  of  a  thin'  but  just  only  more  grace. 
I's  travelled  up  and  down  'bout  as  long  as  de 
chiren  of  Isreal  did,  but  de  dear  Lord  has  at  last 
brung  me  out  of  do  wilderness,  and  to  his  name  be 
all  de  glory ! " 


f/i    >"i«--»Vt  ^* 


V'-i- 


ji/iii^kimmiu  miissf 


■  *,.' 


ir.    If  I 

lis  arth  I 
re  grace, 
ig  as  de 
as  at  last 
I  name  be 


GOOD   MEASURE. 

A  Story  for  Boys. 

Bjr    J>.     8.     KRIOKSOM*. 

iToUiemo.  Frloe$l.SO. 


"This  itoiy  ia  well  adapted  to  teach  boyi  cseAil  lei« 
ions,  show  them  the  ralue  of  honesty,  and  the  lin  and 
danger  of  dishoneaty,  and  inspire  them  with  ntefol  prin- 
ciples and  impreasiona."— C^n'j^t'an  Fro. 


"  The  press  of  H.  A.  Young  &  Co.  is  well  known  by 
the  issue  of  tasty  and  valuable  books  for  the  Sabbath 
School.  'Good  Measure'  enfyrcea  a  really  important 
moral,  in  a  spirited  and  entertaining  narratire." — CM- 
eago  Standard. 


> 


*   ;, 


*'  Among  all  the  Sunday  School  Booka  I  hare  read 
this  year, '  Good  Heaaure '  atands  at  the  head." 


The  author  haa  ao  interworeh  instruction  with  inci- 
dent as  to  produce  a  book  which  cannot  foil  to  interest 
thoae  for  whom  it  ia  eapecially  intended. 

PUBLIBHSD  BT 

HENRY  A..  YOTIIVO  &>  CO.. 

24  Cornhill,  Boston. 


■■■ 


■■I 


•>"^i"(BpiP»»l!»» 


TOO 

TIAJT* 


handst  Md 

In  order 

his  book  in 


ordering  is 


OUT  OF  THE  WILDERNESS. 


A»   >   ! 


Bt  MRS.  JANE   D.  CHAPLIN. 


1  vol.  Umo.  Prioa  $1.80. 


Thia  Tolnme,  pnbliihed  u  a  aerial  In  the  "  Watchman  and 
Reflector,"  has  been  prononnced  a  book  of  raperlor  merit  t 
many  of  the  icenea  and  character*  haTing  fUIen  nnder  tiM 
writer'!  own  obserration. 


OARLi   BARTI.EITT; 

Or,  WHAT  CAN  I  DO? 

1  ToL  ISmo.   nrioe  fl.SS. 

BT  THB  AVTHOB  Of  "  GOOD  MXAaUBB." 

Many  of  the  characters  Introduced  Into  "  Good  Measme," 
are  oonthraed  In  this  book,  making  a  Tolnme  of  mrasnal  la* 
terest  to  the  yonng. 


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J 


iHM 


■ 


2f«,  Boote.  »tf  the  IVtoe  ^»««»-«.. 

MOLLY'S  BIBLE, 

By  MABY  LWIHELL  OHELLISi 

^.«.or  of  "Dea.   Sim.'  I^ayers.-  Kto. 


EFFIE  WINGATES  WORK. 

Bj  KABT  D^nHEbL  OHELLB, 

1  TOl.  »»»•    '^'^  "■*'•      »        ■        ' 

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PDBLISHBD  BT  ^ 

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',  wr,  ^VS»*- 


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«■)■■«>  ,*^''  - 
ior  merit, 
>nipetitorf« 
once  takei 
lOoks* 


BiBUii''  mo* 


■  in  incident, 
Inidng  to  itt 

of  book. 


i    CO,, 


0BEIiLI8  8BBIES. 

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DBA,   SIMS*  PRATERS, 

Few  books  have  taken  inch  rank  among  Sunday 
School  literature  as  thia  one,  receiving  the  priie 
among  more  ♦ban  fifty  competjtori.  Ito  characters 
are  natural,  and  its  spirit  excellent. 


MOLLY'S  BIBLE, 


ft.  >  i 


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HENRY   A.   YOX73VG    Ac    CO., 

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BIBLE  PICTURES. 

1  vol.,  tm^U  4to.   Price  $1.80. 

ThiB  volume  ooBUina  a  selection  of  some  of  the 
best  Bible  histories,  and  cannot  fail  to  meet  a 
want  long  felt.    The  editor  says, 

..  In  offering  this  book  to  the  public  the  editor 
„akes  no  claim  of  originality,  but  tells  the  old 
stories  in  simple  language,  and  P--^' ^^^  ^^^ 
an  attractive  form,  to  please  the  taste  of  the  UtUe 
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Tho  Hivotrations.  twenty  in  number,  are  printed 
In  the  new  style  in  a  «uperior  manner. 

The  book  is  elegantly  bound,  with  gilt  centre 
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f 


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imnm""'" 


jrmmtmi^f^ 


Tsmmmmmmi^ 


^^:5;: 


*f:.. 


'%ft»Htr<iiiiiiniiW<itB».«tU»i)ll||ltgy.J>tJJ^!lftjljaiJ!li"l^ 


■M 


•(•■ 


